Eugene Murphy (Roscommon-Galway, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

My question is on climate change. Last Wednesday was a serious day weather-wise for this country. It seems that some people have forgotten that two people lost their lives. Some 200,000 people's homes and businesses lost power. A number of people were trapped in vehicles by falling trees. In some ways it appears that Met Éireann and others got it wrong. It was a serious event. I drove from Roscommon to Dublin, and the amount of debris flying around the place was shocking. Even in this city some people were trapped in cars by falling trees.

This brings me to the national weather forecasting service which has been promised. We know the steering group has been set up and it has had a number of meetings. I understand terms of reference have been agreed and some other issues have been addressed. This service will deal with flood forecasting, which is so important due to climate change. I was somewhat annoyed that Deputy Ryan was dismissed in some important points he was making. It is anticipated it will take five years to put this service in place. As the Taoiseach knows, wind and rain will not wait for anybody. Only two staff have been appointed but 15 are needed. I appeal to the Government to speed this up. We are told many storms will come our way because of climate change, and it is a matter we must take seriously.

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