Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on the OPW & Flood Relief Eugene Murphy is bringing a motion before the Dáil to highlight the urgent need for a coordinated flood relief and insurance plan for people living in flood affected parts of the country.
Commenting on the bill Eugene Murphy said “As part of Fianna Fáil’s commitment to action on the issue, we brought forward the Flood Insurance Bill 2016 – which passed second stage in the Dáil last month and is now proceeding to Committee stage.”
Deputy Murphy continued “Flooding has affected thousands of people across the country, and last Winter’s storms have left some communities absolutely devastated. Lessons must be learned from these catastrophic flooding events, which may increase in frequency and strength as our climate continues to change. Unless we start implementing a co-ordinated flood prevention and insurance strategy, homes and businesses in Roscommon, Galway, Clare, Cork and communities along the Shannon will be forced to endure years of uncertainty and anxiety as the flood threat escalates.
“Despite numerous of announcements from the Government, action on flooding has been less forthcoming. €480m has been earmarked for flood defence schemes between now and 2021 – this money must be fully used, and all planning obstacles and delays must be addressed without delay. The government has not fully implemented its specific pledges in January 2016 in such areas as a pilot home protection projects and a national flood forecasting and warning service following serious flooding cross the country.
“Fianna Fáil has put forward a suite of measures to alleviate flooding over the past year – including a number of Bills to establish a river Shannon agency; to remove outdated water level restrictions on ESB regulated lakes along the Shannon; and a third Bill to ensure property owners in flood affected areas can access insurance.”
“We will be using our Private Members time in the Dáil this week to raise this important issue once again. It cannot be allowed to fall off the Government agenda, as it has done over the past five years. We need to see tangible action taken to address the range of issues that impact people affected by flooding, and this must be done as a matter of urgency”.