David Norris (Independent)

I thank my colleague, Senator Quinn, for sharing time and I welcome the Minister of State. This undoubtedly is a significant climatic event that can be placed in a number of different contexts, that is, local, national and global. At the national level, the most significant point is that a natural calamity was augmented by the release of water. I do not take sides in this regard and am not trying to apportion blame. However, it is important to recognise that in at least two or three of the worst affected areas, the floods were worsened significantly and dramatically by the release of water from hydroelectric projects. It may well be that the dams themselves were in danger and that would have been a far greater catastrophe. However, this raises the question of water management and its efficiency. What plans were in place and at what point did those responsible know? We now have computerised weather models and significant weather forecasting capacity that can be reasonably accurate. Consequently, there must have been at least five or six days' warning of this kind of rainfall pattern over the island of Ireland. This may be the time, not for recrimination but for planning forward to ensure steps can be taken to ensure this does not happen in the same way in future. There should have been other channels and areas to which the excess water could have been directed instead of down towards major population centres in which there was inevitable destruction.

My second point concerns the comments of an old farmer. I always have liked old farmers because my grandfather was something of one and they have much wisdom. The person in question stated that the rivers have not been managed or drained for the past 40 years. The management of our water resources should be brought to the attention of local authorities. In addition, this affects the question of the management of drinking water. Although this country is rained on from one end of the year to the other, we experience water shortages. I do not understand this and there is something dramatically wrong with water management here.

On the global level, this also is a significant event because although it is not anything like as catastrophic as the kind of events that have taken place in Bangladesh and elsewhere, we have got our toes wet. People have received a significant shock and my heart goes out to them. Perhaps, as a nation, we will realise the reality of global climate change. This is the good that can come out of it. Senator Bacik, with the assistance of campaigning groups, produced fine legislation on climate change. She received a series of undertakings from the Government which were never honoured. This afternoon I attended a joint sitting of the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Joint Committee on Climate Change and Energy Security. Although the latter all-party committee also produced a Bill and recommended it to the Government, nothing has happened. I am unsure whether the Minister of State, Deputy Áine Brady, will have an opportunity to reply as I am unsure of the format of these statements. All Members will testify that the business of this House is as chaotic as anything happening in Gort, Ennis or Limerick. However, if she gets the opportunity, she might address the question of the Government's response on climate change and its commitment to legislation. The imminent climate change conference in Copenhagen finds both the Taoiseach and the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government absolutely naked in respect of any legislative proposal they could demonstrate convincingly to our neighbours.

On the local level, I was moved by Senator Prendergast's comments as she put the human face on the crisis. I saw pictures in the newspapers and images on television of a religious institution, the name of which I am unsure of. I believe that wonderful Roman Catholic bishop, Willie Walsh, lives there but I cannot remember what it is called. The water was pouring out over a marvellous stone breast-high crenellated wall as though it were a sluice gate. It was absolutely astonishing. I listened today to a radio broadcast that featured a man from Gort who was in tears talking about his furniture shop. He had been obliged to dump all his stock. Moreover, he had employed his two brothers in the business over the past 15 years but they are now on the dole and are jobseekers. His mother did not know where she would end up and he observed that he was standing there looking out at a 17 acre lake. This is absolutely astonishing, as are the roads that have been swept away. As for Cork, I note the involvement of the electricity systems. While I do not blame anyone, this issue must be examined and I am glad Senator Boyle made that point.

In respect of the Glucksman gallery, a joined-up approach is required. There must be a relationship between the electricity generators and the weather forecasters. Moreover, one needs a list of significant buildings of either cultural or social interest that must be warned. It is a real shame the Glucksman gallery, which is the result of truly benevolent giving on the part of a great Irish-American woman, should be so sadly damaged. I pay tribute to the staff in UCC who managed to rescue so much in difficult circumstances.

My final point is that we must consider insurance and Senator Prendergast is quite correct in this regard. Apart from the hard-hearted insurance industry, which must be monitored as it attempts to milk the floods to put up its premiums, I thank God for those decent trade unionists who, even on their day of strike about which I had some reservations, suspended the strike in the interests of neighbourliness and helping other people in a critical period. This is a significant climatic phenomenon. If we are wise, we can learn from it. However, if we are foolish we will ignore the lessons it is possible to draw from it.