Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I am obviously conscious that we are engaging in a debate at a time when we can hear the storms blowing outside. I am growing increasingly concerned about the storms that are ravaging Munster at the moment. Having seen what social media can deliver to people's phones straightaway, showing the devastation across the country, the House needs to work collectively on the matter. I am sure we will see further trouble today and tomorrow. I agree with the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Hayes, that we all need to work collectively across the House on the issue. This is not about this Government or the previous one; it is about multiple governments having a consistent approach to the matter when it comes to how the climate and tidal conditions have changed in recent decades and will continue into the future.

As one who lives on the banks of the Shannon, and having seen the devastation to my neighbours' property, I have been heartened by the work of utility company employees, volunteers, council workers, the Civil Defence, emergency crews and all those working for the different State agencies involved, who have gone beyond the call of duty to assist their neighbours and everyone who has been in trouble. I also pay tribute to those who work for the Department of Social Protection, who have done fantastic work, going from door to door in many cases to ensure that people are safe.

In places where flood defence mechanisms have been put in place previously, have they delivered on everything? Perhaps not. However, in many cases we can see the effects they have had. For a small to medium investment in some cases, we have seen gradual real proof that defence mechanisms can work. In particular major progress has been made with the work undertaken in Clonmel, County Tipperary in recent years.

Having seen the devastation at first hand, the Government has announced a €70 million relief package. In the area of public transport, the Government has allocated €5 million to Iarnród Éireann to deal with major damage, which arose mainly at three mainline stations - Kent station in Cork, Pearse station in Dublin and Plunkett station in Waterford. Having recently visited both Kent and Plunkett stations, I can confirm the damage was extensive. Irish Rail had to utilise everything it could to maintain services, on which I compliment its workers. Some €2.8 million will go directly to the roof repair in Kent station with a further €500,000 going towards renewal works in some of the depot buildings within the overall site.

Just under €1 million will be allocated towards Plunkett station in Waterford. This will see €300,000 being spent to clear up the site where recent rock falls occurred, as the station is very close to cliffs, with a further €600,000 being put in place to protect against further rock falls in future. There will also be some remedial works at Pearse station to the value of €300,000.

As the Minister, Deputy Varadkar, will outline later in the debate, this funding will not solve every issue there is in the transport system in Ireland. In some cases we will need to look deeper to solve some of the issues. I have looked at the issue of the Limerick to Ennis line which seems to get closed during any floods. I was recently notified that it could be closed for up to six weeks, which is not sustainable and this has been going on for decades. We need to consider what solutions may be used.

We have targeted our limited funds at the areas where roads are worst affected with counties Waterford, Cork, Wexford, Mayo and Clare receiving extensive funding. A further €1.5 million has been made available for repair to embankments to protect Shannon Airport and the industrial estate in the town, which has been badly damaged.

It is too soon to say whether the most recent flooding and storms will cause further damage in the transport sector. We will return to this matter when new assessments are carried out and all the various agencies will need to look at that in the coming weeks. We have been working very closely with all those agencies to ensure we mitigate the effect of storm damage and to maintain a proper service as far as is practicable given the safety requirements.

There is a real need for a wider debate on the issue and I hope the House will adopt a cross-party spirit because we need a long-term strategy to address the matter.

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