Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael)

I join in the welcome for Senator James Carroll to the House. However, I also welcome my colleagues from County Cork and other counties that have been cut adrift, such as my native county of Galway, which have suffered severely in recent days from flood devastation. While I am delighted the Leader has facilitated the appearance today in the House of the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, he should come into the House with a plan. He should have a flood relief plan, a financial plan and above all, a national template for an emergency. Members are aware that rainfall is on the increase. For instance, it was necessary to evacuate a family in Oranmore a year and a half ago and for three successive Christmases. While this phenomenon is not new in some counties, there has been neither prevention nor leadership on this issue. The Leader should communicate to the Minister that he should have detailed information.

The Leader is aware that insurance companies now claim that floods are no longer unpredictable but are predictable and consequently are refusing to cover such homes in the future. For example, I refer to a home that had been given a quote of €3,000 previously for insurance but which was given a quote of €32,000 on foot of a previous flooding incident in Ardrahan, County Galway. As the householders could not afford to reinsure their home, they now have been wiped out. Consequently, action is required from the Government and it must find the requisite funding. I note it found funding for the banks and it should not come to pass that funding will not be found to save people's homes, properties and livelihoods.

Why was the fire service not fully engaged in Galway as it was in other counties in this emergency relief plan? For example, in Ennis the fire service made 130 calls but in Athenry it made only three. Serious questions arise and I would like an answer to them.