Michael Collins presses ministers for answers on storm crisis
Michael Collins spoke in the Dáil about the government's response to the storm, saying relevant ministers must appear and outline what they will do. He objected to the order of business and demanded direct answers from the Minister of Environment, Minister of Health, Minister of Disabilities, Minister of Education, Minister of Social Protection and Rural Affairs.
While accepting that the Chief Whip had tried to give time to the issue, he objected to the current order of business and said the scale of the emergency required ministers to be brought before the Dáil for detailed statements.
He reported 18,000 homes still without power, damaged houses, sheds blown down with cattle exposed, and communities facing no water, no heat and no food. The speech emphasised widespread disruption and immediate human needs following the storm.
He called for each relevant minister to come before the Dáil and to "outline exactly what is going to do", listing the Minister of Environment, Minister of Health, Minister of Disabilities, Minister of Education, Minister of Social Protection and Rural Affairs by name as those who must answer.
He warned there was "no adequate emergency response in place from government" and described the situation as one of the most significant emergencies the country had faced, saying the Dáil needed proper answers from each minister.
Objection to Dáil order of business
While accepting that the Chief Whip had tried to give time to the issue, he objected to the current order of business and said the scale of the emergency required ministers to be brought before the Dáil for detailed statements.
Scale of damage and shortages
He reported 18,000 homes still without power, damaged houses, sheds blown down with cattle exposed, and communities facing no water, no heat and no food. The speech emphasised widespread disruption and immediate human needs following the storm.
Demand for ministerial accountability
He called for each relevant minister to come before the Dáil and to "outline exactly what is going to do", listing the Minister of Environment, Minister of Health, Minister of Disabilities, Minister of Education, Minister of Social Protection and Rural Affairs by name as those who must answer.
Assessment of emergency response
He warned there was "no adequate emergency response in place from government" and described the situation as one of the most significant emergencies the country had faced, saying the Dáil needed proper answers from each minister.
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Transcript
We object to the order of business also. While I accept that Chief Whip has done everything she can to give her as much time as she could in relation to the storm, it is still a very serious concern out there. I think the relevant ministers, the Minister of Environment, Minister of Health, Minister of Disabilities, Minister of Education, Minister of Social Protection, Rural Affairs, have to come before the Dáil. Each minister outlines exactly what is going to do. We have 18,000 homes still without power. We have damaged houses. We have sheds blown to the ground with cattle exposed there. We have no water, no heat, no food, and no adequate emergency response in place from government. This is one of the most significant emergencies this country ever faced and we need proper answers given here on the Dáil from each relevant minister.