Robbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Moran, to the House. I join him in praising all our first responders on the manner in which they conducted themselves in regard to Hurricane Ophelia. It was a massive undertaking. I compliment Met Éireann on the manner in which it was able to assess and progress the path of the storm and on the manner in which it kept the nation informed of the progress of Hurricane Ophelia. I compliment all of the local radio stations throughout the country on the manner in which they kept their local audiences aware of the more minute details and side effects of the hurricane, in particular, Northern Sound in Cavan-Monaghan, which kept citizens informed of where trees had fallen, power lines were down and roads were blocked. It brings out the best in society when our backs are to the wall. When such an event occurs, it brings out the best in us and all of our first responders, whom I compliment on the manner in which they gelled together to get the country up and running again as quickly as possible. I also compliment the Minister of State on his input in that regard.

Hurricane Ophelia highlighted once again the massive challenge we face in regard to climate change. It followed on from the recent flooding in the Inishowen Peninsula, which left many people homeless. When we hear people talking about climate change we often find it difficult to relate to it but when events such as this occur it focuses the mind. It is important we take climate change seriously. The old adage, "a stitch in time saves nine", springs to mind. It is important that we plan as far as possible for events such as Hurricane Ophelia and that we highlight the risks arising from heavy rainfall of the type of we are experiencing on a more regular basis. The first CFRAM study was carried out in 2010. It identified areas prone to or most at risk of flooding. It is important that process is progressed and that resources are allocated to the particular areas identified.

There are many people whose properties have been flooded and as a result are unable to obtain insurance coverage into the future, which is a very serious issue that needs to be addressed by the Government. It is important that people whose properties have been flooded previously and people who live in areas identified in CFRAM as at risk of flooding are not left out on a limb and are provided with insurance cover. It is important this is done. I referred earlier to the situation that arose in Inishowen. I know that the Minister of State visited the area shortly after that event. People were impressed by that. However, whereas initially there appeared to be a hands-on approach, some people are in limbo in that they still do not know whether the insurance companies will provide them with cover. The level of detail required from the insurance companies is an onerous task on citizens some of whom, as one can imagine, are under huge stress having had to vacate their homes as their livelihoods were washed away. This matter needs to be addressed. It is great to have a hands-on approach at the outset but it is important it is followed through to the bitter end in order that people are not left in limbo as to where they stand. There must be joined-up thinking by all of the agencies involved so that people can see a pathway to resolving their difficulties as quickly as possible and thereby get their lives back on track.

In Monaghan, where I live, a problem has arisen in the centre of the town close to the traffic lights at the shopping centre. During heavy rainfall, the area floods and as a result the shopping centre and the town is cut off from the rest of the county, which has a serious negative economic effect, in that often it can take up to a week before the water levels decrease to the point where normal economic life can get back on track. I understand that Monaghan County Council has submitted a request for funding to address the problem that is occurring at the traffic lights in Monaghan town. I would be grateful were the Minister of State to follow up on the matter on my behalf and revert to me with an update on the status of that request.

I referred earlier to the CFRAM study. It is an important study but it is equally important that funding is allocated as a matter of urgency to the areas identified in the study as at risk of flooding. Many of the people from Mayo and others areas in the west who experienced serious flooding recently are frustrated at the lack of progress in providing the flood prevention measures promised for those areas, work on many of which has not yet commenced. Perhaps the Minister of State would comment on that issue also. It is important to identify areas prone to flooding but it is equally important that this is followed up with funding for whatever works are necessary to ensure that where possible, flooding can be alleviated. This is an important issue, particularly for the people who find themselves homeless and whose lives have been turned upside down. It is important that we address these issues and show those people that there is clear pathway ahead to help them to get themselves back on track.