Harris: We need to look at forecasting and community resilience in face of flood threat

Fine Gael's Simon Harris said that flood forecasting and "community resilience" need to be looked at where solutions to floods "don't exist".

The Minister of State with special responsibility for the Office of Public Works said that he is working on a co-ordinated approach to help flooding victims.

"We're consulting with organisations like the IFA, they've been stakeholders, they've been at all the consultations," he said.

"The draft maps are out there, they're online, they're in Local Authority offices.

"And by this time next summer, we will find solutions, where solutions exist.

"Where solutions don't exist, engineering solutions, we have to look at things like flood forecasting, we have to look at community resilience, and we have to look at the individual protection for homeowners."

Westmeath County Council has said that the River Shannon remains at a high level through Athlone and its hinterland and will likely to stay like that over Christmas and into the New Year.

The Flood Response Interagency Coordination Group has put arrangements in place to cover the period up to Tuesday, December 29.

All of the flood defences will be retained, pumping will continue and accommodation and transport will be provided as required.

Parts of the west are bracing themselves for more severe weather with Storm Eva is expected to hit Ireland later.

Winds of up to 120km/h is expected in the counties of Donegal, Galway, Mayo, Sligo and Clare.

Local authorities in coastal counties are taking precautions to protect flood-prone areas.