Flood relief schemes take years to deliver, Harris warns

Minister of State at the Office of Public Works has said that it is a "reality" that flood relief schemes take a number of years to deliver.

Simon Harris said a national capital flood plan is in place, but it will take several years to implement.

He added that no politician can promise that flooding will not happen again.

“I can’t promise, and no politician can promise, that this isn’t going to happen again,” he said.

“We have to tell the truth here, we have to level with people.

“The reality is these schemes, as I said, do take a number of years to deliver, and until they’re delivered there are communities in this country at risk of flooding, and that is just a statement of fact and we have to everything we can to mitigate against that risk.”

A yellow wind warning is in place today with winds of up to 120km per hour hampering clean-up efforts after Storm Frank.

More than 1,000 homes and businesses are still without power.

The National Coordination Group continues to meet in Dublin to oversee the work of several government departments and agencies, including emergency response and forecasting, as Taoiseach Enda Kenny is facing increasing criticism over his absence from many areas affected by floods.

Some of the worst floods are along the Shannon catchment with stretches around Athlone about 11cm above the previous peak when bad floods hit the region around December 16.

Scores of roads are closed or affected by floods around the country with motorists urged to use AA Roadwatch for updates and for planning their journeys.

UPDATE (11.55am): Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams TD criticised the lack of a strategic response by the Government to the flooding crisis as Storm Frank left many communities without electricity.

“The Taoiseach has been invisible as the latest storm has left many communities flooded and without power,” said Deputy Adams.

“Front line services have been pushed to the very limit but the response of the Government has been pathetic.

He added: “As has happened before, the Government is making promises that defences will be constructed in the future.

“However, the Government was repeatedly warned about the threat of flooding and has sat on its hands.

“Flood risk is becoming a feature of life in Ireland but there is a lack of any strategic approach by Enda Kenny’s Government.

He also stated: "Where is Mr Kenny's plan? He doesn't have one.

“He won't even seek assistance from the EU Solidarity Fund.

“The Government’s wholly inadequate ‘humanitarian fund’ is no substitute for a strategic plan and concrete action to deal with this issue.

“At the very least, the Cabinet must be reconvened to draw up a plan to deal with the flooding crisis.”