Daly seeks urgent storm resilience plan for region
Fianna Fáil Roscommon/Galway TD Dr Martin Daly is calling for immediate action to strengthen infrastructure and improve emergency response in Roscommon-Galway following the devastation caused by Storm Éowyn. With thousands still without power, broadband, and water, Dr Daly insists the Government must prioritise a proactive resilience strategy to prevent similar crises in future storms.
“Roscommon-Galway has experienced significant disruption due to two severe storms within a month, leaving many homes, businesses, and farms without essential services for extended periods. The impact has been devastating, with businesses forced to close due to a lack of electricity and water, resulting in significant financial strain. Farmers, too, have been particularly hard hit, struggling to maintain their livestock during a critical period of lambing and calving while having to haul water from nearby streams and rivers. These events highlight the urgent need for a stronger emergency response framework and better long-term planning to protect rural communities,” Dr Daly stated.
He also emphasised the particular challenges faced by the growing and ageing population in Roscommon-Galway, many of whom are vulnerable and reluctant to leave their homes, even in the face of prolonged outages. “Many older residents rely on home-based care and simply cannot leave their homes, making access to power, heat, and water even more critical,” Dr Daly said. “This is a serious issue that must be factored into future emergency planning so that no vulnerable person is left without essential services for days on end.”
He is calling for an independent review to assess the placement of critical infrastructure and ensure continuous risk assessments are conducted to mitigate damage before storms strike. A significant audit of tree placement along power lines is needed to reduce the risk of widespread power failures in future extreme weather events. Additionally, water treatment plants and pumping stations must be safeguarded against power failures to ensure uninterrupted supply, whether through on-site generators or alternative backup systems.
Dr Daly has written to the Minister for Environment, Climate, and Communications, requesting a comprehensive resilience plan that includes infrastructure audits, risk mitigation strategies, and clear funding commitments. He also insists on a localised storm response framework, ensuring that rural areas receive the same urgency as urban centres.
ESB Networks, Uisce Éireann, and Eir are working tirelessly to restore power, water, and communications. “While these teams are making every effort to reconnect homes and businesses, this storm has exposed major vulnerabilities in our infrastructure. We cannot continue to rely on reactive measures. Roscommon-Galway needs long-term investment to storm-proof our essential services,” Dr Daly concluded.