Response delays deemed ‘inadequate’

THE response by local authorities in the Dublin region to the torrential rain and flooding earlier this week has been branded “inadequate” by junior environment minister, Brian Hayes.

The Fine Gael TD yesterday criticised some delays by council staff in reacting to Monday night’s floods and said their assistance and reaction could have been more effective.

The Minister for the Environment, Phil Hogan, has ordered an inquiry into the local authority response to problems caused by several hours of heavy rainfall in the capital.