STATEMENT BY COUNCILLOR DONIE DALY
Labour Councillor for Youghal
Friday, 8th January 2010

LABOUR PROPOSES IMMEDIATE ACTION TO DEAL WITH WEATHER CRISIS

Labour Councillor Donie Daly for Youghal has strongly criticised the failure of the Fianna Fail/Green government to respond more quickly and adequately to the current extreme weather conditions. Labour has proposed a programme of action that should be initiated immediately to alleviate the worst effects of the weather crisis.

Parts of the country have been experiencing arctic conditions since before Christmas, with families in some areas unable to leave their homes, but their plight has been largely ignored by the government.

There are a number of steps that must now be taken by the government.  These would include using the Defence Forces to assist in the clearing of paths in urban areas, many of which are currently in a lethal condition; the recruitment embargo should be lifted to allow Local Authorities to take on temporary staff from the live register; Local Authorities should be authorised to sub-contract clearance of secondary roads and suburban estates to private contractors; the Fuel Allowance should be temporarily increased to assist those on social welfare to cope with the additional heating costs; mobilise the efforts of many people who are willing to volunteer help to others in difficulties and utilise local radio more which has been doing an excellent job in providing information to local communities.

There should also be a national advertising campaign that would:
1) Urge businesses and householders to clear paths outside their premises.
2) Advise householders on measures to protect their homes.
3) Provide advice for the elderly on measures to cope with the conditions and keep warm.

“There has been a total absence of leadership from the government with Ministers, who should be responsible for taking action, totally invisible.  Why is it that the government’s Emergency Response Coordinating Committee has only begun meeting in week three of this crisis?

“We have a Minister for Defence who has stated that he will mobilise the army only ‘if he’s asked’, a Minister for Transport who is still soaking up the sun in some exotic location far from the abandoned buses, trains and cars that are now littering most parts the country, and a Minister for the Environment who has allowed the country to run out of gritting salt and has ordered more from outside the jurisdiction which is expected to take at least another week to deliver”.

“With forecasts of sub-zero temperatures for at least another week, it is absolutely crucial that the government takes on responsibility for leading and coordinating the response and implement the measures Labour has set out.”
Contact Cllr. Donie Daly (086) 8103886