John Gerard Hanafin (Fianna Fail)

I wish to express solidarity with all those who have been affected by the flooding. The worst hit areas are in Galway, Clare, Tipperary and Cork but there has also been flooding in Kildare and Dublin as well as in other parts of the Shannon basin, including Westmeath and Roscommon. I understand how difficult it is for the people involved. It is very hard for them to cope with their homes being, first, surrounded with water and, next, to have floods coming through the doors. People are isolated and their property and homes are destroyed. I am certain that the knock-on effect on their sense of security and health is significant. Nonetheless, we see great solidarity and sense of community. It is heartening to see all my colleagues who got involved in helping their own communities and in directly assisting people. Of course, that is where the community spirit comes in and brings out the best in people.

The debate is now probably proven that global warming is having an effect on our climate. We appear to be in a situation where we will get warm, wet summers and cool, wet winters - the recurring theme being "wet". Unfortunately, the plans in place are no longer applicable and the planning that took place in the past cannot be the planning we proceed with in the future. With that in mind, I welcome the new statutory planning guidelines that were published on Monday, 30 November by the Minister, Deputy Gormley, and the Minister of State, Deputy Mansergh, with regard to flood risk assessment and management of the planning system for the future. Unfortunately, there have been instances where it has been incorrect, to say the least, that planning permissions were given. There have been clear indicators, even before the past ten years, of regular flooding in areas where planning permission has been given for houses. There were even indications in the names of the townlands, such as Cois an Abhainn - side of the river - Slí an Abhainn - way of the river - and the Waterways.

I am not suggesting that there has not been difficulty in planning; there has been. However, we are now in a situation where we have to deal with that reality. The guidelines and the key steps we take now are the steps that will benefit us going forward. I support the Minister of State, Deputy Mansergh's, call on 24 November in the Dáil that in future a contribution would also be made by giving the same attention to maintaining drains and waterways as to repairing potholes. I suggest it might be even more important because the amount of damage that can be created by a flood, such as structural damage and water damage to homes and businesses, is enormous. Taking the steps now to ensure this does not happen in the future is the only course open to us.

We see areas where positive steps have been taken. I am thinking here of Kilkenny city, where the River Nore regularly flooded. On this occasion, given that a massive works programme was undertaken by the Department, the River Nore did not flood even though there was flooding to the east in Carlow and to the west in Tipperary, and the rivers Barrow and Suir also flooded. Positive action does show results. Early flood warning systems will become a feature of the new system. Funding is being put in place to ensure we can deal with what were 100-year events but which will now be recurring on a ten-year basis or even more frequently.

The community spirit I spoke about was very evident in an area which floods very frequently, Clonmel, where an integrated system of supports for people is in place. Where the flood reliefs have been put in place in the Old Bridge area and close to the island, flooding did not happen. Where flooding took place, should a person have rung to request help from the health board, the county council or the Civil Defence, such as a request for sand bags, it all went through to one telephone number. In other words, it was a co-ordinated response, and this is beginning to make all the difference.

I am particularly pleased that community welfare officers are paying out cash immediately to people who have been put out of their homes, even though they might have found suitable accommodation elsewhere, whether independently or with friends or relatives, because there are immediate costs we cannot even imagine. It is that solidarity shown by groups which have known floods in the past and got together and worked in a co-ordinated fashion that we must continue.

I ask the Minister of State, particularly at this time of year, to renew the call to the insurance companies to pay out on claims immediately. There is no reason, once an assessment has been made and verified, that the cheque should not be issued immediately. I also ask the Minister of State, when people's homes are being made habitable again and dehumidifiers are being used, to ask the ESB to waive the fee for the electricity used. They are extremely effective but expensive. It would be a practical demonstration of support from the ESB.

The best and worse can be seen in people in times of stress. I note that in areas of the midlands there were reports of goods being stolen from unoccupied houses. It is beyond comprehension and makes one wonder when we see so many supporting each other.

The humanitarian aid provided is just a first step. People are receiving support quickly to alleviate their difficulties. I am thinking in particular of the farming community, to which €2 million has been made available in the affected areas for the loss of fodder. The IFA has shown great solidarity with the farming community by supporting fellow farmers and providing surplus fodder for their colleagues.

EU funding has been mentioned. Before the European Union will allow emergency major funding relief, the consequence of the loss must amount to 0.6% of GNP. That would amount to €1 billion and some say we would not reach that figure. The reality is that with the damage, including possible structural damage to bridges and the maintenance work at dams and sluicegates, the effect of trees travelling down rivers at high speed and hitting bridge arches, it would be realistic to suggest that figure would be reached and that we would qualify for aid. I note that members of the Joint Committee on European Affairs have travelled to Brussels to speak to the Commissioner with responsibility for this area. I trust we will receive support, with Cumbria, for the damage caused.

The HSE is assisting with exceptional needs payments. I trust no one who needs help will be left without assistance from at least one of the State bodies. The flood damage creates difficulties immediately in terms of food, clothing, fuel and household goods. People in Clonmel were under two feet of water but recognised that it was four feet high previously and that we were making progress. They said one should look at what people in the west were going through. That selfless thinking impressed me. Here were people being flooded who thought of others who were worse off than themselves.

With that in mind and the necessary co-ordinated response, with the new situation in which we find ourselves, we should look at individuals using their own flood protection methods. Grants could be made available, with a knock-on effect on job creation, to erect these defences. Significant sums have been spent on flood protection measures, €199 million in the last ten years, with 14 major schemes completed. In the Shannon basin area there were two in County Tipperary, one in County Limerick, one in County Clare and three in County Galway. Even they, however, could not cater for the situation in Ballinasloe, where to the west the River Suck burst its banks, while to the east the River Shannon burst its banks. Possibly every previous plan put in place to deal with this issue is no longer applicable.

There are, however, success stories and we should see how they can be implemented throughout the country, particularly in the worst affected areas. It will require a co-ordinated effort but the community support people receive is most pleasing. Just because it is no longer on the television does not mean we have forgotten. We cannot allow a situation where necessary protections are not provided. In Bandon there was regular flooding, with a flood plain immediately outside the town and on which new supermarket has been built. There must be a practical application of common sense, with useful information on flood plains being recognised and planning permission refused for applications in these areas. There should be a regular update and money spent in the same manner as with potholes in county council areas to ensure waterways and drains are kept clear in order that we will be better prepared in the future, and we put in place a comprehensive system of reliefs for individuals to take their own flood protection measures. I still fear, however, that where necessary works go ahead, there will be objections from those who refuse to have a high wall in front of their house, in spite of the fact that it would prevent a river from bursting its banks. We may need to look at planning issues, as well ensure there are no unnecessary objections.

I congratulate the Minister of State for the efforts he personally has made in this crisis.