Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

There is no doubt that businesses have been severely affected, in Midleton in particular. Deputy James O'Connor was at the scene very quickly yesterday evening. He related to me how severe it was on businesses and households. As I said earlier in my reply, we are examining what level of intervention we can make in respect of supporting the households and businesses that have been undoubtedly affected.

We have always been strong supporters of Sars down through the years through various sports capital grants. Given its intervention on this occasion we will not be found wanting. The wider community through Civil Defence and Defence Forces personnel are still there. We applaud what they are doing. There are also all those volunteers from businesses whose employees came out in Midleton and elsewhere to help. It was very severe. It is estimated that one month's rain fell in a couple of hours. I repeat that we need an honest debate on the flood relief schemes. Approximately 95 are either at design stage, under construction or in planning.

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