Taoiseach: Flood relief can't be instant

Taoiseach Micheal Martin visited Enniscorthy, County Wexford, to assess the impact of recent flooding caused by Storm Chandra. He acknowledged the recurring nature of flooding in the area, describing it as a "soul-destroying experience." The government's immediate focus is on providing humanitarian support to affected families and businesses, alongside interim protection measures developed by the Office of Public Works in conjunction with local authorities. Mr. Martin emphasized that while these comprehensive schemes are complex and require adherence to planning processes, all efforts will be made to expedite their progress.

Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers conceded that the pace of flood relief scheme delivery in Ireland has been "too slow." The Taoiseach explained that while a "magic wand" approach is not feasible, a parallel strategy of implementing interim measures while simultaneously accelerating the planning, design, and development works for substantial schemes is being pursued. Minister for Housing James Browne also addressed concerns regarding Met Eireann's communication of weather data, stating his intention to improve the usability of highly technical information related to flooding, following discussions with the agency's director. Yellow rain warnings were subsequently issued for several southern and eastern counties, anticipating further rainfall on saturated ground that could lead to localized flooding.