Charles Ward (Donegal, 100% Redress Party) | Oireachtas source

Donegal continues to be devastated by Storm Éowyn. Thousands have been left without electricity and water over the last week, many of whom are elderly, vulnerable and living in defective concrete homes. Over the next few weeks, I want the Government and this Chamber to realise the devastation that has happened in Donegal. Affected homeowners face huge safety risks living in homes that are defective. The red wind warning came too late. The Government needs to address health and safety as soon as possible to treat this humanitarian crisis that is going on with defective concrete homes. There needs to be far more and far better co-ordination between the Government and Donegal County Council. It is clear that the west and north west were impacted most due to lack of resources and failure to prepare. Many services were also severely impacted. A Montessori school in Donegal was without power for over a week, which affected over 30 families who had no access to childcare. The parents were forced to take significant time off work. Some 12 days later, there are still premises in Donegal without electricity and without water. There is no doubt the impact of this storm will be felt for a very long time.

I would like to take this opportunity to pay my respects to Kacper Dudek's family, a young man killed tragically in Donegal, in Raphoe, through this storm. His loss will be felt in his local community of Lifford and across the whole county. Our thoughts are with his loved ones at this sad time.

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