As the Government is under pressure to recall the Dáil, the Minister of Transport and Climate has charged opposition parties with “politicising” the aftermath of Storm Éowyn.
The “exceptional” planning by government agencies in the run-up to Friday’s statewide red-level weather event has also been commended by Darragh O’Brien.
Following storm-related damage, 100,000 homes are without water and over 200,000 buildings are still without electricity.
While nationwide cleanup efforts are underway, up to 100,000 businesses may have to wait an additional week for their power to be restored.
Parties urging an early return of the Dail include Sinn Féin, Social Democrats, and Aontú.
Mr. O’Brien stated that no speech in parliament will restore electricity to people’s homes in response to demands that the Dáil return before February 5.
“This is a whole government, whole of agency approach. To be very frank, the recall of the Dáil, and maybe people trying to politicise an event like this, is not where we should be at. People should be continuing to support our local authorities, continuing to support our emergency services, to get that power and water restored, to assist. A lot of TDs and councillors (are) doing this across the country, you’re part of those community groups across the country and actually supporting people, looking after our most vulnerable,” reports Breaking News.
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“We’ve been very, very clear in the preparation for the storm and also in the response to the storm itself, in ensuring that we’ll be able to bring services back to our people. That has to be the focus of government, and no speech in Dáil Éireann is going to restore power or water or assist a community. The preparation that has gone on has been exceptional to deal with this unprecedented storm,” reports Breaking News.
He stated that while a complete restoration of electricity would take until the next week, the “vast majority” will have their power back by Friday.
There are still about 105,000 buildings and residences without water and over 228,000 houses, farms, and businesses without electricity.
Speaking after a meeting of the National Emergency Co-ordination Group (NECG) on Monday, Mr O’Brien added: “We established 14 emergency response hubs, and they’re already up and running – 11 in Cavan, two in Laois and one in Westmeath. Several more emergency response hubs are in the process of being set up, and local authorities are also linking in with existing community-led hubs to provide support. I want to assure people that across government, across all of our state agencies, that there’s a co-ordinated approach to restore power, water and communications to all households and all businesses,” reports Breaking News.
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