Tim Lombard (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I promise not to test the Cathaoirleach's patience. I want to raise the impending arrival of Storm Caroline in the next few hours or days. It will bring 110 km/h winds, snow and sleet to many parts of Ireland. It is amazing that people in some parts of west Cork still have not got their telephones back in order since the storm that hit Ireland six or seven weeks ago. People on Sherkin Island will be waiting for another three weeks, at least, for a cable that was damaged in that storm to be relaid. We have to look at how we are going to respond to and prepare for these storms, which are now occurring more frequently than they did in the past. It is important for us to have a real debate on how we will deal with these issues. The storm that hit the south and west coasts of Ireland six or seven weeks ago was somewhat forgotten by the Dublin media. As a result of this significant storm, many parts of counties Cork and Kerry suffered power outages for six or seven days. We need to have a real debate on how we are preparing for such events, with a particular focus on the processes that are in place and how we are going to deal with these issues. It is appalling that some parts of west Cork are still without telephone landlines. A real debate is required to ensure these processes can be looked at. We have to do better in this day and age.