Becky Kealy: Under Pressure Businesses Need Greater Protection & Support

Aontú Rep for Cork North West, Becky Kealy, has called for greater protections and support for pubs as the country remains in lockdown and incomes remain non-existent.

Becky Kealy:

“Its disgraceful that nearly a year into the Covid-19 pandemic, businesses are having to sue to get their businesses covered by their insurance. In Cork, hundreds of livelihoods and family-run businesses have been shut down for good. Insurance companies have been turning over increasing profits these past couple of years, and failure to pay-out for clients is nothing more than profit protection. In 2017, profits for the sector stood at €227 million with increasing premiums and decreasing claims. Government lockdowns of business are exactly the situation people take out insurance for, for Insurance firms to dispute that fact is disgraceful. At a time of devastation of profits and absence of government supports, pubs, restaurants and other small businesses are being forced to take their own insurance providers to Court over failure to make payments.”

“The High Court ruled last week that FBD’s Insurance Policy covered losses by four pubs and that payments should be made. Presently, 12 Insurance providers have been warned by 423 businesses to make interim payments or face similar High Court action. There is thought to be at least another 140 businesses who could also make a claim. These businesses are entitled to their losses being covered by their Insurance providers. The government needs to step in and stop this stiff-arming of businesses by the Insurance sector. Premiums are paid and policies taken out days to cover events like those of the past few months, failure to receive compensation makes a sham of the entire sector and premise.”

The Irish political system is radically broken

In Ireland the vast majority of elected representatives put a finger in the air to check which way the political wind is blowing. They have one eye on their leaders – seeking brownie points – and another eye keeping their seat safe. If elected reps shut up and do as they’re told, they are promoted; if they stand up for what they believe in, they are demoted. No wonder we have the political class we have. No wonder one point one billion euro is being buried in a hole under the National Children’s Hospital and that Stormont is in stalemate.

Throughout Ireland, many people are now afraid to say what they feel, many are afraid to respectfully engage on a range of different topics. Many feel there is a new censorship and a new political correctness in Ireland, that opposition to the establishment is being deleted.

Respectful opposition is not the enemy. Respectful opposition is a critical element of a functional democracy. Aontú will have the backbone to stand up, without fear, for you.