Storm Éowyn: Government defends response as 204,000 still without power
A fallen tree straddles a path at Duckett's Grove in the wake of Storm Éowyn. Photo: michaelorourkephotography.ie
The Government has defended its response to Storm Éowyn as 100,000 people could be waiting a week to have their power restored.
With 204,000 customers still without power and 84,000 without water, Enterprise Minister Peter Burke said it is working to ensure there is the biggest humanitarian response on the ground adding that "the Government will not be found wanting in any area to achieve this."
Speaking following a meeting of the National Emergency Co-ordination Group (NECG), Mr Burke said: "We are a government of action".
Responding to criticism suggesting an unnecessary delay in action by the government, Mr Burke said it has done all it can do and acted early, working with European counterparts from a "very early stage".
NECG chair Keith Leonard said the ESB were in contact with colleagues in Europe and the UK "from an early stage" before the storm hit to mobilise crews to assist in the storm aftermath with units from France arriving on Monday.
Skilled retirees from ESB Networks are also being redrafted to assist. The ESB said it will continue to update restoration times on PowerCheck.ie, but also said weather conditions may impact the restoration work. The utility said power has been restored to 564,000 homes, farms and businesses .
Mr Leonard said "every resource that could be brought to bear" in the State has been brought in to support the ESB including Coillte, the Civil Defence and the Defence Forces.
"We have checked with ESB Networks today to ensure that they have every resource they need and they have confirmed to us in a number of meetings that they are satisfied," he said.
Over 600 people from across Government, local government and other agencies were feeding into the preparation ahead of the storm, Climate Minister Darragh O'Brien said.
Addressing calls from Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald for the Dáil to reconvene as a matter of urgency, Mr O'Brien said there should not be attempts to politicise the situation.
"No speech in Dáil Éireann is going to restore power or water or assist a community," Mr O'Brien said.
Meanwhile, the NECG has recognised that telecommunications and water supplies have been "significantly affected", and according to the group this is due to "knock-on effects of power outages". Uisce Éireann says there are around 84,000 customers still without water, and a further 100,000 are at risk.
According to Comreg, the estimated impact of Storm Éowyn on the national telecoms userbase was the largest in the company's recording history. There are still 21% of users, or just less than 1.1 million, affected nationwide, and the most impacted areas continue to be the north, west and midlands.
In order to combat these issues, some 16 local co-ordination groups are now in place in Cavan, Cork County, Donegal, Galway County, Laois, Leitrim, Limerick City and County, Longford, Meath, Monaghan, Offaly, Roscommon, Sligo, Westmeath, Wexford and Wicklow.
Elsewhere, 14 emergency response hubs are also up and running. There are 11 in Cavan, two in Laois, and one in Westmeath, and according to the NECG several more emergency response hubs are in the process of being set up.
These hubs are assisting people with basic needs such as water, hot food, phone charging, broadband access and shower facilities.
- Shanahoe Community Centre – R32E3FR
- Mountrath Community Hall – R32HC96
- Ballinagh Community Centre – H12V8X5
- Kingspan Breffni, Cavan Town – H12HX02
- Bailieborough Business Centre – A82YN63
- Kingscourt Community Centre – A82N8K5
- Virginia Show Centre – A82A9X2
- Market House, Blacklion – F91PKV1
- Goods Store Community Centre, Belturbet Railway Station - H14 E276
- Ballyconnell Community Centre – H14AY24
- Killeshandra Resource Centre – H12A3X2
- Tullacmongan Resource Centre, Cavan Town – H12W0V2
- Kilian's Lodge, Mullagh – A82HD45
- Clonkill GAA – H91HX78
Commenting on the state of affairs, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said: "I want to assure all those impacted by the aftermath of Storm Éowyn that everything is being done to bring about the restoration of services as soon as possible in the days ahead. I want to acknowledge how difficult this current situation is for homes and businesses around the country.
“We are seeing huge resilience in local communities in the face of the unprecedented damage caused by Storm Éowyn. Government will provide all the necessary supports to the households and businesses who have been impacted by this storm. Cabinet will also meet on Wednesday to decide on measures to further support people."
Mr Leonard said in a statement: “Our main focus now is twofold. Firstly, we are pulling out all the stops to ensure that power and services are restored to everybody as soon as possible despite the significant challenges in the aftermath of the storm.
"Also, while people await the restoration of power and services, the National Emergency Coordination Group (NECG) is working to ensure a humanitarian response — which is joined up and co-ordinated — assists those who need our help in this difficult time.
“While local authorities are best placed to gauge the level of response required in their areas, the NECG is helping to make sure they have all the support they need from Government departments and organisations. We are making sure that local authorities can co-ordinate and share information and available resources amongst each other, and in particular make sure that the most vulnerable people are identified and prioritised for supports.
“The NECG Sub-Group on Humanitarian Assistance will continue to meet regularly to support and co-ordinate the huge efforts being made to provide humanitarian relief to those who need it.”
The NECG is due to meet again on Tuesday.
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