The Cabinet today approved the introduction of a new flood warning system nationwide.
The motion comes as flooding increases around the country following Storm Desmond. Up until now, Ireland have relied on European flooding systems to warn of floods, which are often outdated by the time the impact of a flood hits.
Junior Minister Simon Harris and Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney attended Cabinet to discuss the Government’s response to the floods caused by Storm Desmond. Proposals given to Cabinet include allocating 15 members of staff to Met Eireann to establish this new flood warning system at a cost of €2.5m.
They also approved distribution of funding today to aid businesses damaged by flooding. The money will be given to the Irish Red Cross via the Office of Public Works to distribute to businesses which are deemed to be at risk of flooding to prevent damages and to those that are currently in recovery. A review of flood insurance is also to be discussed in cabinet by ministers.
According to Minister Simon Coveney, aiding business in recovery before Christmas is a priority before further plans are brought into action.
“The problem in relation to businesses has always been that the legislation actually dealing with humanitarian flood relief doesn’t actually cater for businesses,” he said.
“So we’re looking at whether we can find a way to provide some financial assistance to small businesses who in the build-up to Christmas, most of them retail outlets, have found themselves looking forward to probably the best Christmas in 10 years.”