Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. On 1 February exceptionally high tides and storms, as well as exceptional rainfall in recent weeks, caused damage and disruption in the western, southern and south-eastern regions. This is not the first time we have had flooding in various parts of the country, including the River Shannon, Blackwater and other regions. However, it was unprecedented in its scale and power of destruction. I agree with the Deputy on the response by communities, from neighbours and the emergency services which worked day and night to rescue people and ease their discomfort. Some 300 homes were flooded in the St. Mary's Park and King's Island areas of Limerick which were visited yesterday by the Minister for Finance, Deputy Michael Noonan, and the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Hayes. Between 1,200 and 2,000 people were affected by the flooding in Limerick, with 60 residents being evacuated from their homes. There was also flooding in Cork, Waterford and Wexford. Quite a number of coastal areas were hit, with resulting damage to roads, graveyards and piers, whlle sea walls were breached. In addition, parts of Drogheda have been flooded. The problem is continuing and the weather forecast for this evening and tomorrow is not great in some areas. We must consider whether this is a consequence of climate change.

There are issues of immediate and interim concern, including what one should do in the long-term in providing structural defences, where necessary. Yesterday I visited Spanish Arch in Galway, a low-lying mediaeval part of the city. The power of the water coming out of Lough Corrib was indescribable in its ferocity. It has been pumping in for the past few months. Even if one had 5 or 6 ft high walls down to the open sea, when there is a tide that is 20 ft higher than normal, it inevitably backs up. Consequently, the drainage into the river backs up onto the streets, with enormous consequences.

The Government considered the matter this morning. The Minister for Social Protection and her Government colleagues have put together a humanitarian fund of €15 million, pending an assessment, to deal with the immediate causes of hardship, discomfort and relocation. The following will apply. Committees of local authorities have already been calling to those affected to assess the structural damage and humanitarian circumstances that apply. That work is being done in conjunction with local community organisations such as the Society of St. Vincent De Paul, community councils and residents' associations. The results are reported to the Department of Social Protection which has already made payments in a number of areas for the provision of immediate relief, including food and clothing. When houses begin to dry out, white goods and basic furniture can be provided. The Ballynanty Centre in Limerick will remain open until late, with information being provided on local radio in order that people can contact necessary services. As the Deputy knows, it is not possible to put basic items into houses that are still flooded or have not yet been dried out. As the days go by, the high tides may well abate, but these matters are unpredictable. In Galway the surge, with the westerly winds, increased the high tide by almost 2 m on top of an abnormally high tide.

The structures are now in place and next Thursday we will have a special meeting on jobs. An update will be provided by the Department's emergency response section. Next Tuesday the Minister, Deputy Phil Hogan; the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Hayes, and other Ministers will have more accurate assessments from all local authorities of the scale of the problem and the requirements identified. There are, however, immediate humanitarian problems concerning those who have had to relocate to alternative accommodation, including the homes of relatives. There is also the question of structural damage throughout the country. The Government is taking a very active approach in this regard.

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