Nicky McFadden (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Finneran. It is opportune that he is here, given that he knows as well as I do how devastating the flooding has been in south Roscommon and south Westmeath. I raise this matter out of sheer frustration because nothing has happened since the devastating floods last winter. Water levels were extremely high during September, when the Callows around Clonown in the Minister of State's area and Golden Island flooded. Farmers are frustrated at having their land flooded which results in their not being able to use it for grazing from as early as September. I have been to Meelick, a place dear to the Cathaoirleach's heart, and have seen where the river has not been cleared or cleaned. The OPW gave an undertaking that it would spend time maintaining it, but this has not happened. I was pleased to see, however, that the gates were open.

The report referred to the fact that the ESB had not been informed of or involved in making emergency plans. Having read the committee's report, it seems matters are as haphazard as they were this time last year. The report contained much that commended, which I thought was ridiculous considering the devastation caused. I had hoped the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Gormley, might grace us with his presence, even though he did not grace the committee with his presence. He needs to take the lead. I understand the OPW is the lead organisation. However, I do not expect agencies such as the National Parks and Wildlife Service, the ESB and Waterways Ireland to bow to its authority. A Cabinet Minister needs to take the lead. Rivers, including the tributaries through Ballinasloe, etc., need to be maintained in order that water can flow freely and sluice gates can be opened in a timely manner if water levels are rising. If the forecast is bad, we need someone to be able to give instructions to allow urgent action to be taken to avoid a recurrence of the devastation caused last winter.

I am very disappointed that there were no hard conclusions in the report and there has been no reply from either Minister. All I can see are endless references to what is happening in County Cork. People living in the midlands and River Shannon region were affected just as much as people living in County Cork were. While I have no axe to grind with people living in County Cork, we must not be left on the hind tit. We must be looked after, unlike the last time.

Michael Finneran (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I thank the Senator for raising this matter which I am taking on behalf of the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Gormley.

The role of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government during a severe weather event is to ensure local authorities are prepared to respond properly to ameliorate the worst effects of those aspects for which they have direct responsibility. Local authorities are required to act as the lead agency to co-ordinate the activities of the other principal response agencies, the Garda Síochána and the Health Service Executive, using the major emergency management framework, as appropriate, with the voluntary agencies and the Defence Forces to limit the effects on individuals who may be at risk. When effective emergency plans are in place, management of the response falls to the local authorities, working with the other response agencies.

The framework for major emergency management provides for its co-ordination structures and arrangements to be used, regardless of whether a major emergency is declared. It is important to note that these arrangements were implemented at local and regional level as required by local circumstances. It has been widely recognised that the local authorities, working with the other agencies, discharged their functions in a most commendable manner last winter. I am satisfied that there was an active and sustained response to the severe weather conditions, not just by the local authorities and the other principal response agencies at local level but also at national level, with the support of the Defence Forces and other statutory and voluntary bodies.

The national steering group which oversaw the development and roll-out of the framework for major emergency management carried out a review of the response to the severe weather event. It established that the arrangements set out in the framework were fit for purpose and operated satisfactorily. As the recent report of the joint committee illustrates, the response to a severe weather event is a cross-departmental responsibility. Consequently, the review of responses by Departments to these events is being overseen by the Government task force on emergency planning. Implementation of one of the issues identified in the review relating to the national steering group is being led by my Department. This approach also includes external consideration of the reviews undertaken by Departments to validate the reviews for completeness against best international practice and suggest a standard template to assist Departments in undertaking future reviews. This external examination will have regard to the committee's report.

As suggested in the committee's report, the Minister has asked the Department to complete its review of the severe weather emergencies before the end of October. The review will have the benefit of being able to consider the committee's recommendations in areas that fall within my areas of responsibility.

Nicky McFadden (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Minister of State has outlined what is stated in the report. I commend all of the agencies involved for the way they responded. However, will a Shannon Basin committee be established, as recommended by the committee? Who will take responsibility as the lead agency to ensure this will never happen again, that the sluice gates will be opened on command and that rivers will be maintained to enable water to flow freely from one end of the country to the other? A Shannon Basin committee would solve the problem.

Michael Finneran (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Having regard to where I come from, I fully appreciate the point made by the Senator. The question was put to the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government which has a responsibility towards local authorities to co-ordinate their responses. The other issues relate to the OPW which is the lead agency and has allocated substantial funds for the carrying out of surveys and works, etc.

Nicky McFadden (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I have contacted the OPW and the Minister of State, Deputy Mansergh, but I am not getting anywhere; neither is the committee.

Michael Finneran (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

In the last paragraph I outlined clearly the situation regarding the Department. In response to the committee's report, the Minister has asked the Department to complete its review of the severe weather emergencies before the end of October and this review will have the benefit of the input of the committee. This is important from a local authority perspective. Irrespective of what works are undertaken, when there is severe weather leading to flooding, somebody has to be involved. The bodies involved are the local authorities and the national committee. Other issues such as maintenance work, etc. are obviously the responsibility of the Office of Public Works working in consultation with the local authorities. The Senator must appreciate that I am responding to the question as to what the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government is doing. Further answers may be available from other Departments.

Nicky McFadden (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I have asked the OPW and the Minister of State, Deputy Mansergh, the exact same question. The source of my frustration is that I am going from Billy to Jack. There is no lead agency taking responsibility, which means the same thing will happen again.

Michael Finneran (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The question is that the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government would come to the House and respond to the flooding report published in July by the Joint Committee on the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. It did not ask any other questions. That is the response, with all due respect to the Senator.

Nicky McFadden (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

But the Minister knows where I am coming from.

Michael Finneran (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I certainly understand the Senator's intention.

Nicky McFadden (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

And the report.