Beverley Flynn (Mayo, Independent)

I also welcome the opportunity to raise this issue. On Monday I spent five hours in Crossmolina inspecting the extensive damage caused by this flood. It damaged local businesses in the lead-up to Christmas. Deputy Cowley mentioned the furniture store and many hardware shops and businesses selling seasonal items will not have the opportunity to make money at Christmas time as a result of this damage. Many residences were also damaged forcing people to move out of their houses before Christmas, which is a terrible tragedy for them. As a result, elderly people need the help of the State.

I call on the Government to examine why this happened. On Monday I met officials from the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and the OPW, both of which are investigating why this flood occurred. We need to know the answer to that question and identify where the responsibility lies. I commend the fire service, the Garda and Mayo County Council which were on site. However, bringing sand bags to houses at 9 a.m. which were already under a couple of feet of water was no good. I compliment the emergency services for their excellent work.

I seek relief funding for those affected by the flood. Although many of the businesses have consequential loss insurance, many people, particularly in the context of houses, may not have insurance or access to financial support in time. I ask that the Government come to their aid. Through the health service, the Minister should ask community welfare officers to provide the necessary immediate support to get those people over the Christmas period. That is something positive he can do.

I also ask that the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government provide money to carry out remedial work. The history of the flooding of the River Deel goes back many years. Some 50 to 60 years ago the town of Crossmolina used to flood once or twice a year. During the 1970s extensive work was carried out on the Moy drainage. Millions of pounds were spent and, as a result, flooding stopped until 1989, when there was a severe flood. There has not been a flood in the town in the 17 years since then, but something has happened and we need to know what it is so that remedial action can be put in place ensuring that these people will not be exposed to this type of hardship again.

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