Cabinet must deliver flood aid quickly post-Storm Desmond

IT is entirely appropriate that the Cabinet will today discuss emergency relief measures to try to undo some of the carnage wreaked by the storms of recent days. 

Hopefully, those discussions will conclude with decisions that can have an immediate and positive impact on the lives of those trying to cope with the consequences of this latest deluge.

This is especially pressing as many of the towns and villages, businesses and individuals trying to clean up after Storm Desmond are already only too familiar with flood damage — and the consequences of trying to deal with that calamity without recourse to worthwhile insurance.

Not only has the storm damaged their property it has threatened their livelihoods too on an all-too-regular basis as well.

That, in some instances, floods are as a result of, or are at least exacerbated by, human intervention must add to the frustration and anger felt by those who have had to deal with regular floods damaging businesses or invading homes.

Desmond caused extensive damage across the country, with Cork, Kerry, Galway and Sligo worst affected. Many of these towns — like Bandon — have been promised flood protection schemes but have had seen delay after delay leave their area exposed to the inevitable next flood.

Previous compensation schemes were quickly put in place and promised much but almost endless red tape meant that flood victims had to wait far too long for help.

That must not happen again.