Mattie McGrath raised concerns about Motorsport Ireland and grassroots motorsport clubs being unable to secure insurance for events, blaming fallout from Brexit and Covid and urging the government to intervene. He said clubs have already lost three months of the season and warned the situation risks putting community clubs out of business.
Insurance access crisis
McGrath said many clubs cannot obtain insurance for events, including major races, and that Motorsport Ireland had contacted officials on the issue. He noted that Northern Ireland also cannot get cover and described Brexit and Covid as key contributors to the problem.
Community and economic impact
He emphasised the value local supporters clubs bring to their communities, citing a review of a supporters club as an example of the “golden value” they provide. McGrath stressed that events generate significant local income, fundraising and community activity, and that participants invest heavily in bikes and machines.
Appeal to government and the department
McGrath urged the minister and the relevant department to step in to ensure insurance availability and to prevent clubs being put out of business. He asked that the minister responsible for insurance engage with stakeholders to find a solution.
Recent changes in the insurance market
A contribution in the debate acknowledged some improvement in the last year in the availability of public liability quotes, while noting that costs have not fallen and that difficulties remain for particular events.
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A number of weeks ago I asked you about Motorsport Ireland and their inability to get insurance. They had contacted you with the national organisation. They were in the evening when we used to give a briefing and thanked the TDs and senators who turned up. This situation has completely got out of hand since Brexit and indeed since Covid. Any club cannot get insurance for the events and there are many major events. These are worth a fortune first of all to the communities and I have a review here of the Faheen supporters club. It's a golden value that they have to their communities. It's a spin-off. These people love their sport but the fact that they cannot get even a course for insurance companies. I'm asking you teachers to step in here and your department to try and ensure because they have lost three months of this season already. Northern Ireland can't get it and it's a shame to say because of Brexit we can't get it here. It's a cop-out. These people invest hugely in their bikes and their machines and their touring and all that go with them. It's a massive boost for each area that the races are held in and the different events and the different events that they hold. They do a lot of community work as well as fundraising. Will you please step in and assist them and your government don't stand idly by and let them be put out of business? Thank you. I will ask Minister Carl MacNeill, whose responsibility for insurance, to speak to you about this. We have seen an improvement in the last year or so in terms of availability of people getting quotes for public liability insurance. The costs have not come down, but there is greater availability, but sometimes there can be difficulties with particular events. Thank you. Thank you.
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