Brian Brennan (Wicklow-Wexford, Fine Gael)

The Storm Éowyn review makes it clear the most prolonged impacts were felt in counties on the western seaboard, including Mayo, where access was cut off, in some cases, for days. Power outages were widespread and vulnerable people were isolated once communications and electricity failed. The review also acknowledges real progress with expanded generator capacity from Uisce Éireann, strengthened community support centres and, crucially, the roll-out of additional satellite communications to protect the emergency response when the networks collapse. Has the Department carried out a technical assessment of the Defence Forces' storm and post-storm readiness, particularly their availability of trained personnel, engineering assets, off-road mobility and the speed with which they can be deployed in rural and isolated counties, such as Mayo? Is the readiness now aligned with the new communications and resilience investments made since Storm Éowyn?

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