United call to release flooding compo

ALL TDs and Senators in Cork must make a “united call” on central Government to immediately release €2 million in flood compensation money to victims of the November crisis.

Speaking to the Irish Examiner, Cork city Lord Mayor Dara Murphy said unless the rare step is taken, hundreds of ordinary people will continue to face huge financial costs without state support.

The Fine Gael councillor – who has been working with St Vincent de Paul, the Red Cross and HSE community welfare officers to clarify the figure needed – said it was “pointless” for the Government to promise €10m in emergency flood relief and then fail to provide it.

He insisted that, eight months on, people are still caught in an ongoing “responsibility row” between state bodies and insurance companies.

And in an attempt to force the money to be released, he has called on all Oireachtas representatives in Cork to make a “united call” next Friday to ensure the financial support is released.

Recent figures revealed under Freedom of Information Act indicate that just over €1.3m of the state’s war chest to compensate victims of the November floods has been provided to those in need.

Of this figure, less than €320,000 has been handed over to victims of the floods in Cork – one of the most damaged areas in the country.

The show of strength by Oireachtas members was initially planned for today but had to be postponed because a number of representatives said they were unavailable.