Independent Ireland MEP Ciaran Mullooly has warned that communities in Galway and across the Midlands North West region remain dangerously exposed to extreme weather events, as the Government has still not finalised a national emergency plan, nine months after Storm Éowyn left 760,000 homes without power and water.
The Midlands North West MEP said it was “extraordinary” that the Climate Change Advisory Council confirmed this week that no all-of-government emergency plan is yet in place, despite repeated promises from the Taoiseach and Tánaiste.
Mullooly praised ESB crews, local councils and emergency staff for “outstanding work” during the crisis but noted that the lack of preparedness left Ireland dependent on outside help.
It took three days before the European Commission’s Emergency Response Unit stepped in, eventually supplying 22 large generators to restore essential services.
MEP Mullooly stressed that Galway remains unprepared, saying that in the aftermath of Storm Eowyn, the Government promised to set up emergency centres but continues to delay on this important matter.
