The Irish Insurance Federation (IIF) called on the government to establish a National Flood Defence Agency, in the wake of floods earlier this week.
IIF chief executive Michael Kemp said an agency was needed to assume responsibility for flood management.
There has been severe flooding in north county Dublin and the adjoining counties Meath and Kildare.
"Currently there's a plethora of agencies with partial responsibility, including the Office of Public Works, Waterways Ireland and local authorities," he said.
"A national agency could spearhead a review of river and coastal flood defences in order to invest in practical improvements in flood blackspots."
