Martin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The programme for Government contains many commitments to funding environmental challenges posed by climate change. There is a residential road in my constituency in Tipperary. It is a cul-de-sac located at Glencush at the foot of the Galtee Mountains. Due to its location, it is exposed to a lot of run-off from the mountains which leads to regular heavy flooding in no one particular section. The situation is so bad that recently palliative care services had to stretcher out a patient and put them on a jeep because the location was inaccessible for the ambulance. Other residents in this area have health issues and are extremely alarmed by the prospect that the emergency services will not be able to reach them directly. The council secured €82,000 in funding to deal with climate change adaptation measures but it says it is nowhere near enough to remedy the situation. The Minister for Transport, Deputy Eamon Ryan, has told me that no further money is being provided under the climate change fund and the council would have to include the work in next year's programme. This road is regularly used by hillwalkers and it is a danger which leaves the council open to possible litigation.

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