TAOISEACH BRIAN Cowen has described the flooding situation as an “ongoing emergency” which he predicted was likely to get worse in parts of the country.
He confirmed the Government was liaising with the insurance industry to make sure assessments were carried out quickly, and said the €10 million humanitarian aid fund was an initial allocation.
“This is an ongoing emergency, and while everything that can be done is being done, I expect conditions in certain areas to get worse before they get better,” he said.
Mr Cowen said between 500 and 600 houses approximately had been evacuated across the country. He is due to visit Offaly and Westmeath today to assess the extent of damage in the midlands.
“The situation remains critical and while some areas are reporting that the water levels are receding, particularly in southern areas, you will be aware that problems are developing in other areas of the country such as Galway, Clare and the midlands, particularly Athlone,” he said.
Water levels in the river Shannon were already at a “historic high” and were expected to rise over the next few days, Mr Cowen said. This would add to difficulties being experienced in the lower Shannon region.
The south Galway town of Portumna remained on alert last night, while Gort’s Crowe Street, Kiltartan and parts of Ardrahan remained under water.
Limerick County Council issued a warning as the ESB released more water into the Shannon at Ardnacrusha weir, increasing water levels by three inches.
Discharges of water into Lough Derg from Parteen weir were also increased again yesterday, following confirmation that water levels in the lake had risen significantly.
Minister for Defence Willie O’Dea defended the actions of the ESB in releasing water, saying it would be “potentially catastrophic” if the organisation had done otherwise.
“They will only raise water levels to an extent consistent with the safety of the dam that they’re protecting and if the dam were to collapse . . . that would be potentially catastrophic, so it’s to prevent a greater danger,” Mr O’Dea said.
A delegation from the ESB met Oireachtas members from the most severely affected areas in Leinster House last night.
Minister for the Environment John Gormley said it was too early to say the extent to which bad planning had contributed to the flooding.
“I think it makes sense to most people that building on flood plains is not a good thing and I think over the years we’ve ignored good planning advice, we’ve zoned in areas that should not have been zoned.” He said it was difficult to assess the extent to which bad planning had contributed to the problem.
Fine Gael TD Denis Naughten last night described the Government’s humanitarian assistance scheme as “paltry”. The Government had announced an initial €10 million towards such a scheme on Tuesday, but Mr Cowen said yesterday no one was suggesting this was the full amount required.
Asked if the State would seek European Union funding, he said: “We are making inquiries in that area.”
Labour Senator Phil Prendergast said the Government’s response to the crisis had not been good enough and a national emergency plan should be put in place urgently.
The Irish Red Cross has launched an appeal and is encouraging people to make donations.
A spokesman for the Defence Forces said 182 personnel and 30 vehicles were providing emergency assistance in Cork, Ennis, Limerick, Gort, Ballinasloe, Athlone and Athy.
Over 55,000 sandbags had been provided by the Defence Forces, the spokesman said, and delivery of water for drinking and sanitation to 27 areas of Cork city continued.
