Martin Daly demands audits and task force after Storm Eoin
Martin Daly, a newly elected TD and a Republican, addressed the aftermath of Storm Eoin on behalf of his constituency Roskamangalri, describing widespread power, water and communications failures. He urged audits of ESB Networks and forestry management, stronger resilience for water supplies and GP clinics, and the creation of an interagency task force to coordinate emergency planning.
Families in Roskamangalri were left without heat, unable to contact emergency services and cut off from basic necessities after Storm Eoin, the speaker said. He emphasised that older people, the sick and isolated rural residents suffered most, with businesses and farmers devastated and many still without power.
Martin Daly acknowledged community volunteers, farmers who cleared roads, ESB crews and international teams, local authority workers, community and primary care teams and emergency hubs for their dedication. He stressed that while local effort was commendable, it could not substitute for systemic preparedness.
In a recent meeting with ESB senior management the speaker said he could not get answers on risk management and infrastructure audit protocols. He suggested that forestry and tree husbandry appear neglected and that perhaps 80% of outages were caused by fallen trees, calling for an urgent audit of tree lines and forestry corridors in the national interest.
He warned that group water schemes and community supplies must be generator ready after many communities lost access to clean water. He also highlighted that GP clinics lost power and telecommunications despite hospitals having backup generators, calling on the HSE to audit GP surgeries and ensure robust backups.
Martin Daly said there was a lack of consistency in how local authorities, interview officers and community welfare officers responded, despite direction from Antishoek for maximum flexibility. He called for the establishment of an interagency task force to ensure proper emergency planning across all state bodies and demanded transparency, investment and a clear plan to prevent a repeat. He concluded by repeatedly saying "Go raibh maag agat" in thanks.
Storm impacts on constituents
Families in Roskamangalri were left without heat, unable to contact emergency services and cut off from basic necessities after Storm Eoin, the speaker said. He emphasised that older people, the sick and isolated rural residents suffered most, with businesses and farmers devastated and many still without power.
Praise for frontline responders
Martin Daly acknowledged community volunteers, farmers who cleared roads, ESB crews and international teams, local authority workers, community and primary care teams and emergency hubs for their dedication. He stressed that while local effort was commendable, it could not substitute for systemic preparedness.
Questions for ESB Networks and forestry management
In a recent meeting with ESB senior management the speaker said he could not get answers on risk management and infrastructure audit protocols. He suggested that forestry and tree husbandry appear neglected and that perhaps 80% of outages were caused by fallen trees, calling for an urgent audit of tree lines and forestry corridors in the national interest.
Water supply and GP clinic resilience
He warned that group water schemes and community supplies must be generator ready after many communities lost access to clean water. He also highlighted that GP clinics lost power and telecommunications despite hospitals having backup generators, calling on the HSE to audit GP surgeries and ensure robust backups.
Call for an interagency task force and consistency
Martin Daly said there was a lack of consistency in how local authorities, interview officers and community welfare officers responded, despite direction from Antishoek for maximum flexibility. He called for the establishment of an interagency task force to ensure proper emergency planning across all state bodies and demanded transparency, investment and a clear plan to prevent a repeat. He concluded by repeatedly saying "Go raibh maag agat" in thanks.
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Transcript
Count Orla, as a newly elected TD and a Republican, I want to thank the people of Roskamangalri for placing their trust in me. It is an incredible honour and I take this responsibility seriously. I want to thank my family, friends and campaigners for the support for me. I rise today to speak on behalf of my constituency, Roskamangalri, which is deeply frustrated and upset in the aftermath of Storm Eoin. The storm resulted in a blanket loss of power, water and communications. Families were left without heat, unable to contact emergency services and cut off from the basic necessities. The most vulnerable in our communities, our older people, our sick, our isolated rural residents have suffered the most. Businesses and farmers have been devastated. Many are still without power. The frustration is justified. It is our responsibility to ensure their concerns are not just heard but acted upon. At the same time, I want to acknowledge those on the ground, community volunteers, the remarkable farming community who cleared trees from the roads before anyone else was even moving, ESB crews and their international teams, local authority workers, community and primary care teams and the emergency hubs. Their dedication is commendable. However, Storm Eoin has exposed systemic weaknesses that must be addressed. We have seen a lack of consistency in how local authorities, interview officers and community welfare officers respond. In spite of clear direction from Antishoek for maximum flexibility in dealing with distressed citizens, constituents have had vastly different experiences, leading to confusion and delays. Emergency responses must be uniform, efficient and proactive. The ESB Networks corporate must also provide answers. In a meeting last week with the senior management team, I specifically asked about their risk management and infrastructure audit protocols. I could get no answers and answers are needed. Forestry and tree husbandry seem on the face of it neglected by ESB Network Management and perhaps 80% of the outages were as a result of fallen trees. We need an urgent audit of tree lines near power infrastructure and forestry corridors established in the national interest. We need transparency, investment in infrastructure and a clear plan to prevent a repeat of this crisis. Water supply resilience was also a major concern. Ishka, Erin and our group water schemes must be generator ready. Too many communities were left without access to life supporting clean water. This cannot happen again. Healthcare services were also severely impacted, specifically GP clinics whose network is the backbone of health services throughout the country. Whilst hospitals have backup generators, GP surgeries were left without power and telecommunications. This is unacceptable. The HSE must conduct a full audit and ensure GP clinics have robust power, water and telecommunications systems and backups. This is why I am calling for the establishment for an interagency task force to ensure proper emergency planning across all state bodies. The people of Rhyscombe and Gorghwil communities across the country deserve not just words but action. Let's make sure the devastation caused by Storm Eoin leads to real meaningful change. Go raibh maag agat. Go raibh maag agat. Go raibh maag agat. Go raibh maag agat. Go raibh maag agat. Go raibh maag agat. Go raibh maag agat. Go raibh maag agat. Go raibh maag agat. Go raibh maag agat. Go raibh maag agat. Go raibh maag agat. Go raibh maag agat. Go raibh maag agat. Go raibh maag agat. Go raibh maag agat. Go raibh maag agat. Go raibh maag agat. Go raibh maag agat. Go raibh maag agat. Go raibh maag agat. Go raibh maag agat.