Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

People throughout the State have since Christmas been experiencing an unprecedented weather crisis. This has now become a state of emergency in many areas, including Cork, and it should be declared as such. Local communities and local authorities are not in a position to respond to the daily devastation and they require Government support urgently. This support has not been forthcoming. I find it incredible that, to date, the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Phil Hogan, has failed to appear before this House to inform Members of the action and interventions being taken by the Government to alleviate the terrible impact on families and communities. This is unacceptable. People are being bled by the same Minister, and the rest of the Government, for the local property tax and water charges. Is it too much to ask that the Government should take action and provide leadership to assist the people in this time of great need? In the immediate term, homeowners, businesses and service providers need urgent practical and financial aid from the Government beyond the terms of their private insurance, if they have any. This would alleviate the impact, including on cooking and washing, and on utilities and bedding that need to be replaced. The Government should quantify quickly the broader impact of the devastation on local communities and key infrastructure.

We heard yesterday from the Taoiseach how much has been invested in flood defences since 1996 and how much will be spent in the coming five years. I am aware that the EU floods directive compels the Government to publish what are termed detailed flood hazard and flood maps. There should be no delay in their publication to inform the Government on how best to allocate resources for the future. Can the Tánaiste tell the House whether he, in his capacity as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, has been in direct contact with the European Commission and the Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy through the Government's permanent representative in Brussels, Mr. Declan Kelleher, or by any other means to request financial aid through the EU solidarity fund?

We know the solidarity fund can be mobilised in the event of an extraordinary regional disaster such as that experienced across this State in recent weeks.

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