Ann Graves (Dublin Fingal East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

As this is my first time to speak, I take the opportunity to thank my family for their ongoing support - my daughter Christine, sons Paul and David, grandson Noah, and Mary and Alana. I remember my husband, who passed away last year and who was my strongest supporter. I also thank the people in Dublin Fingal East who came out to vote for me and put their trust in me. I intend representing them to the best of my ability. Finally, I thank my republican family - the volunteers, comrades and friends who worked their socks off in all weathers. Míle buíochas.

When Storm Éowyn hit the country, we had 85 trees down across Fingal. Once the red weather warning was lifted, we had all the support services - Fingal County Council, Dublin Fire Brigade, the ESB and Uisce Éireann - out doing their job and trying to do a clear-up. However, the effects were felt for days afterwards in terms of power and connectivity. I heard from a mother who had a child depending on a hoist and a feeding tube. The power in their home in Swords was out for five days. Close by, an elderly man in his 90s who lives alone without supports was in the same situation, with no connection to the outside world. The most vulnerable people were hit the worst.

Many other people contacted me when they could not contact relatives and friends across the country. They were tempted to brave the elements and try to visit them because they could not get in touch by phone or any other means. A local hotel allowed residents in to use their facilities, showers etc., but those with mobility issues could not avail of that because, once again, the most vulnerable people were affected.

The Government needs to step up to protect the lives and well-being of people by putting in place preventative measures. Investment in capital infrastructure is an absolute must. Well before the storm, delivery of power had already failed. In my constituency, in Donabate for example, residents face regular loss of electricity through power outages. In fact, they had a power cut on Christmas Day.

Increased development without the necessary infrastructure and amenities as a prerequisite is a recipe for ongoing problems. With growing incidences of storms, we are looking at continued chaos in the aftermath unless there is real investment in capital infrastructure. Prevention is always better than cure.

We also need to look at a review of the tree management policies. I was out with residents in Malahide following the storm where a tree had come down on one side of their road and, luckily enough, landed on the far side of the road. They had flagged it as problematic with their local council based on the fact that the trees were too big for an estate. Nobody wants the removal of healthy trees unnecessarily but we need to protect power lines and people. That is a priority.

The ESB made €890 million in profit last year. It is shameful that people who have suffered would be expected to pay.

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