Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

In order to assist Senator Craughwell, the import of whose remarks I understand, I will try to get the Minister of State to come to the House in the next week. Given that we are in the immediate post-Ophelia period and that a review will be carried out, I would be very happy to have him come to the House to speak about the matters the Senator raised. I know the Cathaoirleach has said that no division has been called but I just wish to assist the Senator in that.

Senator Humphreys's remarks about a debate on climate change and the measures to address our carbon footprint are well made. I would be happy to try to have that debate in the coming weeks. It is a continuation of a debate that we have been having and which the Senator initiated.

We are fortunate that no more lives have been lost and that we did not incur greater damage than we did. As many Senators have said, it epitomises the good about being Irish. There was a spirit of friendship and community around yesterday. People were checking on neighbours and calling to old people. People who were involved in meals on wheels were travelling at difficult times to ensure that people's meals were delivered.As stated, those who did not heed the advice yesterday should be condemned. We are very fortunate in the wonderful public servants that we have. When we get it right, we get it right.

Senator Warfield referenced businesses, many of which closed early yesterday. The advice from the Government was for people to remain indoors and not to travel, and, thankfully, this advice was heeded. In regard to the businesses that were open, some of them were manned by family members. I cannot answer for the city of Dublin but I know that the city of Cork was pretty much closed, with the exception of one or two small shops. If there are particular issues of which the Senator is aware, I would be happy to bring them to the attention of the Government.

On the issue of financial cost, the Taoiseach has said that local authorities will be assisted. Every effort must be made to ensure that insurance companies work with home owners, businesspeople, schools and sporting organisations who have suffered loss of or damage to their property.

I commend all who assisted in ensuring homeless people were housed during the storm. It was a well co-ordinated, multi-agency, voluntary and community-orientated effort.

Senator Dolan referred to the provision yesterday of Irish sign language interpretation. Following on from the raising of the issue with me yesterday by a member of staff from the Senator's office, I raised the matter with the Minister, Deputy Murphy, who acted immediately. I welcome the members of the deaf community who are in the Visitors Gallery for the next item on today's agenda. It is important that the deaf community is assisted in every possible way by the organs of the State, in particular RTÉ. Senator Dolan also referenced those who are disabled and house-bound and the need for a register of same. Following a review of the events of Storm Ophelia, we will be able to put in place a much more co-ordinated response.

Senators O'Reilly and Butler raised the issue of trees. Senator O'Reilly highlighted the issue of the close proximity of trees to our roadways and motorways. Notwithstanding that this is an important issue, Senator Reilly also made the important point that trees are the lungs of the world, which points to the urgency of having the heritage Bill enacted. We need hedgerows to be cut back and moved back from roadways and we need proper maintenance of our roads. I accept that we need trees, but it is equally important that we get this right given the potential for damage, as witnessed yesterday.