Niall Collins (Limerick West, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Chair for affording me this opportunity to speak. I express my sympathy to all those who have been displaced as a result of the recent flooding. During the August bank holiday weekend in 2008, the town of Newcastlewest was completely swamped by a flood and hundreds of thousands of euro worth of damage was caused to businesses and residents alike. In the aftermath of the event, it was described as a one in 650 year event and the likelihood of a recurrence was in about 650 years' time.

I wish to make two points. First, constituents of mine were denied humanitarian aid and assistance by the authorities at the time. I ask that the people of Newcastlewest who are still out of pocket be afforded the opportunity to apply to the fund which is being established today. The second point concerns the response of the local authorities. Limerick County Council, in partnership with the emergency service Limerick City Council, did not implement the major emergency plan, the definition of which is "beyond the normal capacity of the emergency services", in August 2008 and no answers were given. In the aftermath of the current event, I ask that a full review be undertaken of the performance of all the major emergency plans which have kicked in up and down the country and to include the reason the major emergency plan was not put into effect in Newcastlecast, County Limerick, in August 2008 and that those who are still out of pocket be afforded the opportunity to apply for humanitarian assistance which is still outstanding.

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