Frank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)

Last Sunday night, 400 premises in the south Leitrim region were without electricity after Storm Amy. Power was restored more quickly this time but only because other regions were less affected, allowing manpower to be redirected there. People living in the area, with its considerable proliferation of forestry through which electricity lines run, realise this is the reason for the problem. Is there a role for the Commission for Regulation of Utilities in dealing with the ongoing failures affecting electricity and communications infrastructure? In August, I was made aware that after Storm Éowyn ESB Networks had been conducting forestry, timber and vegetation clearance work. I very much welcome this, but last weekend a mid-level orange warning over a few counties threw the whole system into disarray again. The people of south Leitrim want more; they want better access in order to ensure they will not be without power for most of a week again.

See this speech in context