John Gilroy (Labour) | Oireachtas source

Yesterday morning in Cork I spoke to a number of business people whose businesses have been ruined by the flooding that affected the city centre the previous night. I was in Limerick later that afternoon and I spoke about it to the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Hayes. I was impressed with his response. However, he must now match the urgency of his words with the urgency of his actions. I invite him to Cork to see, at first hand, the devastation of much of the city centre and to explain to the business people what he plans to do. Many of the businesses in the city centre that have been affected have been unable to secure insurance since the last flooding four or five years ago. I call on the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Hogan, to intervene and ensure that some of the hard-pressed businesses, which have been going through a very difficult time recently, are given some type of rates break at this time. The Minister, Deputy Hogan, is the man who can deliver such a thing. The scenes in Cork and Limerick yesterday were pitiful, but I call attention to the quiet dignity shown by the people in the area. It is very commendable.

The local authorities must continue to do what they can. Sandbags should be made available immediately today because there is a severe risk that Cork city centre will be affected by flooding again tonight. We must put a strategy in place in the immediate term to offset the worst effects of the anticipated flooding.