Michael Finneran (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fianna Fail)

I feel aggrieved to have stopped that fine representative from west Cork in full flow. I compliment him. He made some positive suggestions which many others did not.

This debate has been timely following the severe weather which we experienced recently. Like other contributors, I wish to record the Government's appreciation of all the people who responded to the ice and snow conditions and the assistance they provided to their fellow citizens. I hope the community spirit which we witnessed will continue and grow in strength. Rather than being negative about the experience, we should look at what went well, as well as those areas on which we can reflect, with a view to making improvements regarding response to future severe weather events.

As regards the response of local authorities, they used the co-ordination and inter-agency arrangements set out in the framework for major emergency management. Initial reports indicate that the arrangements worked satisfactorily, having regard to the emerging issues. Let us not forget that one of the major issues was maintaining the accessibility of the transport network. The local authorities kept the key strategic roads and public transport routes open for use and deserve to be commended for their work, which was carried out throughout the Christmas period. In addition, the majority of bus services continued to operate, albeit with some cancellation or curtailments during the worst of the snow. Airports were closed for short periods.

Another area which gave rise to concern was the supply of salt for the roads and the ice on footpaths. Local authorities generally maintain ten days' supply of salt for gritting the priority roads and this is more than adequate for most years. The extent of the extremely low temperature resulted in rapid depletion of supplies. Due to demand throughout much of Europe, difficulties were experienced in sourcing new supplies but additional shipments were received. As was clear from television reports, the position in other continental countries was more severe than in this country.

We can learn from the experience. The Department of Transport will examine matters connected with the supply, use and distribution of salt for roads and footpaths. Extra stocks of salt and the necessary storage facilities will need extra funding and this has to be measured against the anticipated requirements. Another area to be considered is the situation of householders and businesses in urban areas clearing snow and ice from footpaths outside their premises without incurring any liability for negligence. Such clearance led to many personal injuries which impacted severely on individuals as well as increasing the demand on the health service.

A second major issue related to a number of weaknesses in our water services infrastructure. The problems experienced included the standard of installation of water piping both outside and inside premises, leakage from the water distribution system and conservation in the use of water. The initial difficulties arose mainly from frozen supplies, but as the thaw set in further damage was caused by moving ground. Typically, over a fortnight period, demand was up to 25% greater than the maximum water treatment capacity in most authorities. This was as a result of both leakage and some consumer usage to avoid frozen domestic pipes. Demand has been progressively reduced through the efforts by local authorities to find and fix leaks and manage supplies, and through conservation by consumers. I commend the many local authority workers who responded to these events, working long hours, often in difficult conditions, to restore supplies, and to find and fix leaks

Targeting of investment on water conservation to reduce the loss due to leakage in the distribution system will be included in the water services investment programme for 2010-12, which will be launched next month. Record levels of investment has been made in recent years and this year some €508 million has been allocated, an increase over the 2009 provision for water services. The priority projects required will be reflected in the next water services investment programme. Local authorities will highlight the need for water conservation in their publicity campaigns and the Department will contact local authorities concerning the adequacy of water supply installations for coping with freezing conditions.

From my perspective as Minister of State with responsibility for housing, I compliment the agencies who deal with homeless people and the members of my Department and outreach workers who successfully looked after homeless people in our cities, towns and villages. We are glad to say that during the entire period no weather-related death was recorded in this country. We look across the water where 30 deaths were recorded. Hundreds of deaths were recorded across Europe. It is important that we reflect on the good work of such people who deal with those who find themselves in a very difficult situation. They were in a position to say that nobody needed to sleep rough during that period.

The severe weather period tested the public bodies' response capabilities. In so far as we cannot control weather events, we must review the adequacy of our responses to ensure they are fit for purpose to respond to severe weather events and, in so far as possible, to minimise disruption to normal daily activity. The measures to be taken by the Department of Transport and my Department will improve the future response to a recurrence of severe weather from snow and ice.

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