A new nationwide levy to help fund flood insurance is facing criticism from Sinn Féin, with the party arguing that homeowners should not be forced to pay more to address the growing problem of flood risk.
Insurance Ireland says a sustainable flood insurance fund is needed to provide cover for homes that are currently unable to get insurance because of the risk of flooding.
Central Bank research has found that around 5% of households have difficulty finding flood cover, which can also make it difficult for homeowners to sell their properties.
With climate change expected to bring more frequent and severe flooding, there are growing questions about who should bear the cost of providing insurance and protecting homes in high-risk areas — homeowners, insurers, or the State.
Sinn Féin TD for Louth, Ruairí Ó Murchú, joined us on The Agenda this morning to discuss the proposed levy, the insurance gap and what he believes should be done
We also discussed comments by British Prime Minister Amdy Burnham that a referendum on a United Ireland is \"off the table\".