Fianna Fáil has published the Flood Insurance Bill aimed at helping homeowners and business who are unable to secure flood insurance.

If the Bill is passed by the Oireachtas, insurance providers will not be allowed to deny insurance cover to homes and businesses in areas that have undergone flood defence works and that meet the standard 1 in 100 year flood risk rating.

Dublin Bay South TD, Jim O'Callaghan welcomed the Bill and said: "These flood risk ratings will be determined by the Office of Public Works. At present, all flood relief works carried out by the Office of Public Works (OPW) are designed to provide for a 1 in 100 year flood risk rating.

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"In addition, the Flood Insurance Bill provides a mechanism for home and business owners who feel they have been denied cover unreasonably to appeal to the Financial Services Ombudsman.

"Under the Fianna Fáil bill those that have been denied insurance or believe that the terms and conditions being applied on the policy are too excessive or unreasonable, there is a route to appeal.

"People living in areas with a low risk of flooding or where flood defence works have been carried out by the State should not have to worry about getting insurance.

"I look forward to a constructive debate in Dáil Éireann on this piece of legislation."

(CD/MH)