Cowen holds off on extra funding until damage evaluated
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Monday November 23 2009
THE Government has not agreed to allocate any extra funding in response to the flooding emergency so far.
Taoiseach Brian Cowen will be visiting Cork, Tipperary, Clare and Galway today to view the damage caused by the flooding firsthand.
Members of the Emergency Response Coordination Committee briefed the Cabinet on the ongoing situation across the country yesterday and are continuing to closely monitor the situation for the Government.
Mr Cowen paid tribute to the commitment of the emergency services and local authority workers, along with the community effort, in tackling the flooding.
He also thanked public sector staff working on the flooding crisis for agreeing to not go out on the one-day work stoppage tomorrow.
"I want to thank all those in the public services who have indicated, of course, that every help and assistance will be given right throughout Tuesday and beyond and won't affect the proposed withdrawal in other areas on Tuesday, as planned. So I am very grateful for that," he said.
But Mr Cowen said he still believed the overall one-day stoppage will go ahead.
"It appears to me there will be stoppages next Tuesday. But in areas that are affected by this emergency situation, let it be said everyone is working might and main to resolve this situation," he said.
Action
Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny also said he was happy to see those involved in the emergency calling off their action.
"I am happy to see members of a number of unions have withdrawn their notice to withdraw their services on Tuesday in order to continue to provide essential services because of exceptional weather conditions," he said.
The Taoiseach did not say if the Government was planning to allocate extra funding to the local authorities.
"Specifically in relation to resource allocation at the moment, all necessary resources for the purposes of the effort that is ongoing day-to-day is proceeding and the resources are there. The more longer term assessment of damage and how that is to be handled is something that will be dealt with at a later date."
Mr Cowen said it was not possible yet to estimate the cost of the flooding to the country.
- Fionnan Sheahan Political Editor
Irish Independent
