Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge the work of the local authority. It is appropriate that additional funding would be given to local authorities in circumstances where they have to deal with situations like this. However, the Government needs to put in place a fund that would be there so the public can access funds as well. I have spoken to people in the area. It is all hands on deck, and people are rushing to help and clean up but they must be paid, fed and looked after while this is ongoing. In many of these situations, they will not have access to funding because they will have to wait a long time to get insurance. We all know that.

The Minister of State said the local authority will be the lead organisation. Should local businesses or the local GAA club go to the local authority for assistance? Where do they go, who is going to co-ordinate in that regard and how we do ensure that this can be delivered in a quick and efficient manner to ensure people can be looked after?

I acknowledge the work of An Garda Síochána in respect of this matter. Gardaí were on the scene. They looked after people and ensured everything was dealt with very well. That is the one thing you get from all these situations in Ireland. People come in quickly, put their shoulders to the wheel and do everything they can go help. However, it will be this week and into the following week that the real impact of this will be felt. I refer here to the financial cost. The people who work in all of these businesses will be scratching their heads wondering whether they will have work coming up to Christmas and whether they will be able to manage. We need to ensure that we put the plans in place. The Taoiseach said he is keen to see it happen, and we want to see it happen. Having ambition is not enough. We need to ensure that funding is put in place. If the Minister of State is saying that the local authority is the lead agency, we need detail about how what will be on offer can be accessed by people.

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