David Cullinane (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State and thank him for visiting the many places affected by the worst of the flooding in the past few weeks. I am sure it was appreciated by the victims of the flood damage. The Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government visited County Waterford also. The coastal areas of the south west, south and south east are taking a battering. There are trees down everywhere; there is damage to properties and homes; schools have had to close and serious damage has occurred. Unfortunately, the damage caused by bad weather and floods is ongoing.

I will first deal with Waterford and then some of the national issues. I had a meeting last week with the city and county manager of the newly merged authority in Waterford. He estimated that the cost of the damage caused to the coastal areas of Waterford and roads is in the region of €8 million. The council has submitted an application for funding of €8 million. There was flood damage in a number of private dwellings in Poleberry. In fairness to the local authority, it was very quick to respond. It did its best to prevent damage to the properties and on a number of occasions it was successful. However, some damage was caused and I understand a separate pool of funding is made available to the individuals affected. The Minister of State might explain how this works and the amount of compensation that will be available.

There was good news in Waterford in that the flood defence on the quay held up very well. Ironically, a former Minister who is basking in the sun in Florida would, I am sure, take credit for that. The investment made in flood defences for Waterford city has certainly paid off, by and large. When we install infrastructure, be it in Carrick or Waterford city, it does work and, therefore, we need to build similar infrastructure in other areas that are affected. This is not to say there has not been damage in Waterford, because there has been. The coast, especially Tramore, Passage and Cheekpoint, has taken a severe battering. The Minister of State might update us on all the applications for funding that have been made. What is the total amount made available? It is important that we have an answer to this.

I welcome the Minister of State's announcement that an extra €70 million has been made available to address the problems. It is obviously very welcome. In light of the current circumstances in the south, particularly Cork and Kerry, I ask the Government to reassess the already-promised funding. We will not know the full extent of the damage for some time because the storm is ongoing. I am sure further damage has been caused that will force the local authorities involved to reassess their applications to the Department. Even at this point, however, the Minister of State might indicate what the local authorities are seeking and what is available.

An issue arises with regard to the European Union. The Minister of State will be looking forward to taking a seat in the European Parliament, subject to his election by the people of Dublin. We need to make a case at Government and Commission levels for altering the threshold for emergency aid from the European Union. At present, Ireland receives only €1.33 million for every instance of damage worth €100 million. With ongoing damage being caused, as we have witnessed today and over recent weeks across the State, we are in a position to make a strong case for a reappraisal of the criteria governing aid at EU level. Both the Government and Opposition should lobby the European Commission on this. Obviously, the Government is in a very strong position.

I am sure the Minister of State will appreciate the point I am making because I do not want to be critical of him since he has, by and large, done a good job responding to the floods. The cutbacks to local government funding have had an impact on the ability of local authorities to meet the challenges and the added costs they face because of flood damage.

Let us consider the officials and front-line workers at local government level in Waterford and the staff in all the emergency services, including some workers who were pilloried not so long ago. ESB workers come to mind in this regard. They are the very people who were out on the front line protecting people and getting electricity working again. They are protecting people from the worst excesses of the flooding. Today in this House, we should put on record our appreciation for all the workers who are out in very difficult circumstances doing good work. Having said that, we must also point out that, when we cut local government funding, it has an impact.

There will be renewed focus and debate on climate change and the need for a climate change Bill. Much more could be done on this. Every local authority should have its own climate change strategy. There is an environment strategic policy committee in most local authorities. With the reform of local government, one of the more progressive steps local authorities could take would be to develop a climate change strategy and actions in their areas.

I thank the Minister of State for his response to the flooding. I hope that, in the not too distant future, he will be able to commit to further funding for the areas affected.