Early Warning System for Flooding Events

Dep. Marc Ó Cathasaigh
It has been just over a year since Storm Babet visited severe flooding on communities in east Cork and west Waterford. If we had not been reminded of this by its anniversary, the flooding in Spain will certainly have reminded us in a very visceral way. Replies to freedom of information requests show that detailed information is being shared with local authorities ahead of heavy rainfall events but this is not being shared with the general public. Does the Taoiseach agree that, if this information is available, it is long past time that it was shared? Does he agree that an early warning system for flooding events should be rolled out as a matter of urgency?

The Taoiseach, Simon Harris

Regarding Deputy Ó Cathasaigh’s comments on Storm Babet, we need much better sharing of information, alerting of the public and early warning systems. Some of the freedom of information responses and the good work done by Carlow Weather and others in recent days have brought this to my attention. I will raise those issues directly with the Department of housing.