Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

The indications are that weather conditions may well deteriorate again this evening. The Government has pumped hundreds of millions of euro into loans that did not perform and which have now ended up in a black hole. In this case, thousands of people who were prepared to put their money where their mouths were have had their lives destroyed. They followed their own initiative to follow a business lead and provide career opportunities for themselves, their families and children. In farming circles people followed instructions and attempted to make a livelihood for themselves in very difficult circumstances. For thousands of householders their pride and joy has turned to devastation as water bubbles up through the floors and pours into the house.

The Government states it is anxious to assist but I ask for something far more effective than this. I know the Taoiseach cannot provide a full, detailed response on structural damage to bridges, key walls or other defences but we need to be able to offer the people some hope the Government actually understands what they are facing up to in the last five weeks of the year. When the landslide occurred on the north Mayo coast, it was almost two and a half years before people could draw down assistance through the Red Cross.

What has happened in recent days is unprecedented. At 4.30 p.m. on this dark evening, people are facing into a night of the unknown. Nobody knows where water may strike in the Shannon basin or on its lower plains, in Cork or the Lee valley or the towns throughout the southern region. It requires a serious Government response - now. I hope the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Gormley, will tell the House later what he said to the Government this morning. He should take on board suggestions from Members on all sides who have heard first-hand reports that neither the Minister nor the Taoiseach have been able to get around to in the time available.

The people whose livelihoods have been washed away before their eyes and who now want to rebuild their lives and careers and opportunities for their families need a more effective response from the Government. Has the Taoiseach applied for assistance under the European solidarity fund? That is a fund of €1 billion but assistance has to be applied for by the Government. It has been used to provide assistance for countries such as Romania and Greece after wildfires. I ask the Taoiseach to be more expansive and show more generosity to those who have to rebuild careers, livelihoods and opportunities in the agriculture sector, including housewives and all others affected. Does he intend to send the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to meet regional Commissioner Samecki to discuss urgently the provision of funds in addition to what the Government is providing for hard-pressed families in this unprecedented situation?

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