Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the opportunity to contribute to this discussion, unfortunate as it is. I speak on behalf of people in Athlone, business owners, residents and farmers, who find themselves in the same precarious position in which they found themselves in 2009. I acknowledge the great work Westmeath County Council has done in rapidly activating an emergency response, providing sandbags and industrial pumps, assisting the elderly and taking all possible preventative measures. Last night, Councillor Aengus O'Rourke and I visited Deer Park Road and Parnell Square, where we saw at first hand the anxiety and worry of residents. Thanks to the topography of the land around Athlone, the worst flooding is still to come as flood waters make their way down the River Shannon. People in the area face a difficult few days as they worry about what lies in store. It is predicted that up to 50 or 60 houses will be flooded by Saturday, not only in the areas to which I referred, but along the River Shannon in Carrick-on-Shannon, Conbonny and Golden Island.

What supports will the Department provide for people who do not have insurance and will have to move out of homes that are destroyed by flooding? How quickly will people be able to access these supports? As Deputy Calleary stated, the system must not be excessively bureaucratic, as people will otherwise be afraid to apply for the supports they need.

This is a case of déjà vu, because similar floods occurred in 2009. As recently as several weeks ago, I asked the Minster of State, Deputy Simon Harris, what progress had been made on the provision of flood relief measures in Athlone. The response from the Department referred to the CFRAM report. Six years after the publication of that report, no progress has been made on the installation of preventative measures to ensure there is no repeat of the flooding of 2009. We must support those affected here and now and discuss preventative measures at a later date.

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