Nicky McFadden (Fine Gael)

I sympathise with the Cathaoirleach and the people of Banagher and Shannon Harbour who have endured extraordinary pain and devastation over recent days. I second Senator John Paul Phelan's amendment to the Order of Business. The Minister should be here today to discuss this very serious issue. This day last week, representatives of the public service unions stated on national radio that there was no emergency in Athlone. What constitutes an emergency? Last night, on "The Frontline" they could not answer that either. I want a definition that clarifies what constitutes an emergency. If the River Tolka burst its banks in Dublin, a state of emergency would be declared. As a consequence of this Government's inertia in declaring a state of emergency, the unions announced there was no emergency in the Athlone area. Much to their embarrassment, our fantastic local authority employees were not able to work on Tuesday because of this union directive. The director of services asked the unions to lift the directive but they refused to do so. We in this House and the people of the midlands appreciate the local authority workers in Athlone and County Westmeath but their unions let them down badly.

I ask for a debate on flood insurance. People who are fully insured against flooding will have to wait until their houses have been assessed before they can get a single cent. What will they do in the meantime? They cannot apply for social welfare because they are not entitled to money for alternative accommodation. I am aware of one lady who will receive a mere €409 per month in social welfare benefits. That is a joke.