Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the opportunity to contribute to this debate and I thank you, a Cheann Comhairle, for facilitating an opportunity for all Members to discuss this important issue.

The Minister has outlined the background to the storms and freak weather events that took place in recent days. He identified the impact they have had on many communities, particularly on the western seaboard, and he correctly pointed out that counties Clare and Galway were among the worst affected. I compliment the efforts of Clare County Council, its officials and engineers for the work they have done in rehabilitating the areas that were worst affected. As the Minister knows, the staff of Clare County Council have been doing immense work to clean up the damage that was done in so many areas. The damage extends from New Quay to Loop Head and the west coast.

I had an opportunity during the week to meet Commissioner Hahn, who has responsibility for that disaster fund. He has indicated that he will be in a position to look favourably on any application that might be put forward by the Government. The Minister said that the scale or impact of an event on a country must be above a certain threshold, and the Commissioner believes Ireland would be best suited to considering it on a regional basis. I met the Commissioner along with a number of MEPs, including Pat the Cope Gallagher MEP and Brian Crowley MEP. The understanding with the Commissioner and his staff is that all the MEPs are prepared to work with him and his officials to act as a liaison with the Minister and his Department to ensure an appropriate application is put to the Commission, which will meet the criteria set down. Certainly, from the contacts I have had, I believe favourable consideration will be given.

That is the first source of funding that can be secured. This country has a history in this regard. In 2009 there was a similar event which impacted more on inland areas, with towns such as Ennis suffering serious inundation of water. We saw the capacity of our colleagues in Europe to support us at that time, when approximately €13 million was provided to assist us.

However, the most important issue now is that the Minister, his Department and the Government get a clear understanding of all the damage that has been done, identify all the costs and seek to work with the local authorities in the first instance to repair the damage. The county with which I am most familiar has approximately 37 areas that were impacted negatively. In New Quay, the damage is estimated at €1.8 million, and in Bishopsquarter, it is estimated at €2,000. There is damage to Ballyvaughan pier, the damage in Doolin is estimated at €500,000 and repair work in Clahane and Liscannor is estimated to cost €777,000. An immense amount of work is required on the approach roads to Liscannor and also between Lahinch and Liscannor. Lahinch has suffered damage to the tune of approximately €6 million, which obviously must be repaired. The estimate for damage at Bártra is €6,000 while the White Strand, Miltown Malbay, Spanish Point and Seafield piers have been damaged.

I have visited all these areas but particularly the Cloghaninchy and Quilty area, where immense damage has been done. The sea has broken into an area and has put a number of houses at very severe risk. There is a very sad situation in one house, where the family cannot return as the house has been flooded. The back garden has effectively been taken over by the sea and the family suffered real trauma when the children's pets were drowned. We must build flood defences to assist these people to get back into their homes and to give them the safety and security to get on with their lives.

There was also damage at Carrowmore and areas around Doonbeg. Kilkee suffered significant damage, as did Ross Bay. A community in Kilbaha was cut off for a number of days due to the impact of the storm on the approach road to Kilbaha. It cut off all of the Loop Head area. Obviously it impacted on tourism as well as on the lives of people who live there. Unless a very strong flood defence is put in place, the road will be unable to support the heavy traffic associated with farming and the milk trucks travelling back and forth to collect milk at the height of the farming season. Many other areas on the western seaboard were affected. The Kilcredaun Irish College and the road approach to it suffered significant damage, as did Carrigaholt, Mayasta, Cappagh, Kilrush and Labasheeda, as well as the road around Moneypoint and Knock. Significant damage has been done.

There is also damage to an area inland. In O'Callaghans Mills a community of five people was cut off over the Christmas period. Clare County Council has identified that approximately €190,000 worth of works are needed for the damage to some inland areas. I appeal to the Minister, in the context of the work Clare County Council has done and finding the appropriate funding, to ensure the necessary works can be done to allow people to live their lives in the same way they did prior to this event. The concern that has been expressed to me by members of the council and council officials is that the Department might decide to give some funding, but not enough to complete the works. That will not be acceptable.

As the Minister well knows, local authorities in recent years have been trying to do a lot more with less funding. They do not have access to the cash reserves they might have had in the past to do some of the work themselves. I will not get into political point scoring about promises concerning the property tax and the expectation that some of that money would have found its way back to councils. The Minister and I know that has not happened.

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