subject: Report criticises government action following catastrophic winter weather [print this page] Areas of Ireland that were some of the worst affected by the floods and freezing weather during last winter are still awaiting work to start of much needed flood defences.
Contractors had yet to be hired to begin working on projects in Tipperary, Clare and Cork despite funding being approved, whilst other schemes were still only at the planning stage in Kildare, Carlow, Meath and Waterford, according to the Office of Public Works (OPW)
The revelation came on the back of a critical report that condemned the governments handling of the flooding and icy temperatures that hit the country during November, December and January.
Insurance claims for damage to property amounted to almost 550 million, with damage to roads estimated at 180 million.
Chairperson of the committee who released the report, Sean Fleming said, "We believe that the extent to which people were affected and impacted could have been lessened with better planning and co-ordination. There seems to be a distinct lack of clarity regarding who is ultimately in charge."
The report highlighted that there was a distinct lack of leadership and necessary structures in place to deal with a major national crisis. There were serious concerns raised about the national emergency plan, known as the Framework for Emergency Management, which set out how the crisis should have been dealt with.
The report said, "A fundamental concern is that it is complex and confusing to those unfamiliar with it. While it has many merits, the fact that it cannot provide a clear, unambiguous and consistent answer to the question of who us in charge?' in an emergency situation is most unsatisfactory."
October and November 2009, saw record amounts of rainfall, which resulted in extensive flooding across many parts of the country. This effected land, businesses and homes, meaning hundreds of people had to be evacuated. The following month endured the coldest winter since 1963, causing travel disruption, damage to roads and properties and left water pipes burst.
The report stated that the number of groups responsible for the waterways in Ireland was breathtaking' and called for an urgent need for communication to be greatly improved between all the bodies involved.
Report criticises government action following catastrophic winter weather
