Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for the opportunity to raise this matter. On Saturday evening, water levels were rising in Crossmolina and other areas across Mayo to a level very near tall people's shoulders. Such is the extent of the damage. It was not six or nine years ago but three weeks ago when the last flood was experienced in Crossmolina. I have discussed this with the Minister in the interim. We are all awaiting major capital projects but simple jobs such as cleaning rivers and lifting debris from them are not being done. It seems the OPW attaches more importance to pearl mussels, or other forms of marine life and animals, than to people. As long as that is happening, the Department of Social Protection will bear the brunt of trying to compensate and come up with a scheme. As long as the OPW continues to forget the small things while it focuses on the big things, this will happen.

Businesses are uninsured because they cannot obtain insurance, not because they are responsible. I refer in particular to businesses that have rented premises or public houses. These businesses are finding it impossible to obtain insurance. Retail businesses that had peak stock in the first weekend in December saw that stock completely destroyed. Stock, including food, valued at hundreds of thousands of euro had to be destroyed on Sunday and yesterday because of the damage.

I endorse what Deputy Naughten said. Not enough preparation work was done. Can the Minister for Social Protection outline how the new scheme will work? The Taoiseach said the community welfare officers will be going from house to house in the affected areas in respect of the humanitarian assistance scheme. It is a very difficult and complicated scheme. Can we ensure that it works as easily and quickly as possible? The notion of looking for receipts and records with a view to having vouched expenses is nonsensical where somebody's house has been washed away in front of them. We will have to be incredibly flexible about this. It is time that the OPW stood up for the people in the country as much as for pearl mussels and various other creatures at the bottom of our rivers.

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