Calls for government funding to tackle storm damage

Calls are going out today for government funding to address serious storm damage in the county.

Homes, businesses, infrastructure and amenities were damaged in many parts of the county, including Ballina, Belmullet, Westport, Achill and Newport.

Today, Fianna Fáil MEP for the North West, Pat the Cope Gallagher called on the government to apply to the European Commission for help under the EU Solidarity Fund.

The fund was set-up in 2002 to respond to natural disasters and severe weather within Europe.

Councillor Rose Conway Walsh, Sinn Féin representative in Belmullet, said government funding will be needed to deal with the damage caused to houses, property, roads, piers and walls, as well as fishing vessels, equipment and farms.

“This week, many words will be used to describe the damage done by these floods but it is only the money made available through an emergency fund that will make any difference,” she said.  

Meanwhile, Fianna Fáil's Deputy Dara Calleary commended local gardaí, fire service, civil defence and community volunteers for their work to tackle the west coast flooding and called for as much support as necessary for these services.

“They must be given every support and resource necessary at a national level to continue the clean-up and prepare communities for more severe weather to come,” he said.

 

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