Opposition shamelessly use flood victims to try score political points

Fine Gael TD for Mayo, Michelle Mulherin, has expressed her disgust at the opposition’s tactics of using flood stricken families as a tactic to try to score political points.

“In recent days politicians, including the leader of Fianna Fáil, have been shamelessly using flood victims as pawns in their political game. They are grasping at straws and playing political football on the back of people’s misery.

“In my own area of County Mayo many homes, businesses and farmland have experienced extreme flooding and loss. The Taoiseach has visited these areas without the glare of the media and has seen for himself, firsthand, the damage and devastation caused.

“Bertie Ahern front and centre in his wellies visiting flood scenes and courting media attention did nothing to ensure that Fianna Fáil invested in flood defences over the years. Last June this Government announced investment of €340 million in flood defences, more than has been invested in the previous 20 years. Indeed there has been a lot more action taken by this Government.

“As an immediate humanitarian response government funding is provided through the Department of Social Protection for flood damaged households to claim and through a new scheme administered by the Red Cross for uninsured business premises which have been flood damaged. This provides up to €20,000 per premises.

“An interdepartmental group is already charged with investigating the problem for individuals unable to get insurance owing to flooding. Also the very thorough CFRAMS scientific study by the OPW of 300 regions in the country under threat of flooding is well underway with flood mitigation and flood defences options being examined.

“The Minister with responsibility for the OPW, Simon Harris also attended a very productive public meeting during Christmas week in Crossmolina. Plans for flood defences for the town are at an advanced design stage and in the interim Minister Harris was in a position to accede to all of the requests made by the local action group for shorter term measures.

“He also announced a pilot project which would see his department grant aid to individuals who wish to acquire flood gates for their premises. This is a very welcome move to empower people to protect their premises in the short term while more permanent solutions are being worked out.

“While all of these measures still have not prevented many people from suffering severely from the affects of flooding, action is being taken to help in every way possible. The reality of global warming is on our doorstep causing more rain, storms and unpredictable weather and it is the people of Crossmolina and all the other affected areas who know too well the misery of it.

“Government agencies must redouble their efforts working with flood affected communities to deliver relief both in the short term and with longer term measures. However, using those worst affected by the storms for political gain, is shameless and totally disingenuous.”