Martin Daly (Roscommon-Galway, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am well aware that the Taoiseach visited the Roscommon-Galway constituency in the aftermath of the storm and witnessed first hand the devastation that was caused. I think he was taken aback by the level of devastation caused by Storm Éowyn. It is clear that up to 80% of the power outages were caused by forestry falls. We really have to learn the lesson about the establishment of tree corridors and proper forestry husbandry. Even in the aftermath of that, in many places in my constituency there are still trees causing hazard to telecommunication lines and electricity poles. I pay due respect to the ESB network crews who worked on the ground, but the ESB has to plan better to make its system more resilient. It is in the national interest.

As regards people being without water for up to 21 days, we really have to ensure that Uisce Éireann makes sure that water supply is again more resilient and generator-ready and the same with water schemes. Telecommunications was another element that was not restored in quick time. Electricity came back and water came back, but some of the telecommunications companies did not re-establish proper telecommunications in our area for a considerable time after the storm. I think there was a lax attitude to that. It is simply not acceptable in this day and age, when we depend on telecommunications and Wi-Fi communication.

The emergency hubs worked very well. We should continue to invest in our local infrastructure, whether it is in sports or community halls. I think the Taoiseach saw that first hand in Ballaghaderreen and in Kiltoom, in Athlone.

We need to have a review of the humanitarian assistance scheme and outline how it is used, what the rules are around it and what the benefits are to people in situations of distress.

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