Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I agree with Deputy O'Brien that it is a devastating experience for families and households affected by the flooding. It is devastating for residential buildings and businesses and is something that will take a very long time to recover from. I also want to put on record my appreciation and that of the Government for all those who worked so hard to help people out in the immediate aftermath of the flooding. They include people in the utility companies, employees of local authorities, public servants and those involved in the voluntary effort that was contributed to by people at a local level. I saw this very recently when I visited Limerick and saw the impact of the flooding there and the work that people in the community did to help others out. I also want to put on record my tribute to the late Michael O'Riordan who lost his life helping people to get their electricity restored.

The Government's response to the flood crisis was, first, to make funding available for the immediate issues. That was done through the Minister for Social Protection. Second, we have provided €70 million to deal with the aftermath of the flooding, mainly in infrastructural works and so on. The local authorities are producing submissions and many of them have submitted them to the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government who is considering them. The third dimension, which was mentioned by Deputy O'Brien, is the issue of flood defences.

Deputy O'Brien asked me two particular questions. The first is where we are going on the European front. We are still in discussions with the Commission in respect of what assistance can be provided from European funding for flood relief. I must say, however, that the threshold is very high and I do not believe it will make a significant contribution to the cost we must bear in dealing with the flood issue. However, the Minister of State has been in discussion with the European Investment Bank, particularly in respect of the flood defences issue, and is making considerable progress in that area. Deputy O'Brien also asked about the issue of insurance. Again, the Minister of State has been in discussion with the insurance companies and expects to be able to complete a memorandum of understanding with them within the next two months.

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