Insurance firms are right

I have the greatest sympathy for those people affected by the recent flooding. However, the insurance companies should not be compelled to insure these properties.

As one of their representatives pointed out, they insure against risk not against certainty, also it would be unfair to impose a levy on all those others insured.

Surely the answer is for the Government or for a group of those affected to sue their local councillors or planners, who gave planning permission to build on known flood plains.

Also culpable are those builders and developers who built in these areas.

I also feel the banks who gave out mortgages on these properties should bear part of the responsibility. Banks always insist on a surveyors report before offering a mortgage, were they not aware of the proplem?

Mike Mahon

Templeogue

Dublin