Taoiseach visits Carlow town and Graignamanagh today
Taoiseach Micheál Martin talking with volunteers when he visited Graignamanagh today
Taoiseach Micheál Martin today (Monday) visited areas of the country, including Carlow town and Graignamanagh, that were hit by severe flooding following the recent prolonged period of wet weather and Storm Chandra.
He was accompanied by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne and Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works, Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran.
They met with householders, business owners, local authority staff and community representatives in Enniscorthy, County Wexford; Graiguenamanagh, County Kilkenny, Carlow town and Aughrim, County Wicklow.
The Taoiseach said: “The last week has been devastating for many people who have seen their homes and businesses severely damaged by flooding.
“I wanted to come today to meet those impacted and hear first-hand of their experiences. I also wanted to thank the local communities, local authority staff, civil defence, Irish Red Cross and other volunteers for their unfailing and relentless work to keep people safe.
“I want to assure that all government departments and response agencies are fully focused on protecting properties and alleviating flooding to the greatest extent possible over the period ahead.
“In coming here today, I also wanted to ensure that schemes designed to support people after such events are reaching all those who need them.
“With Minister James Browne and Minister Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran, we heard today from those most impacted and discussed the OPW and local authority flood alleviation works planned for each of the areas we visited.
“Changes in our climate are increasing the frequency and severity of flooding events, and we are seeing flooding now in places we didn’t before. This new reality is one to which we must swiftly respond in order to protect lives, livelihoods and property into the future.
“I am determined that we make demonstrable progress on flood warning systems and defences, and I will be engaging with government colleagues and officials on this.”
