The government has been urged to take “immediate action” to strengthen infrastructure in Roscommon and Galway, by implementing a storm resilience plan, following damage caused by Storm Éowyn.
Fianna Fáil TD for Roscommon-Galway, Dr. Martin Daly insists the government must prioritise a proactive resilience strategy to prevent similar crises in future storms.
ESB Networks has said that as of this morning, Tuesday, February 4, 25,000 homes, farms, and businesses remain without power.
All available ESB Networks crews, resources, partner contractors, and international support are mobilised to restore power to homes, farms, and businesses as soon as possible.
“Roscommon-Galway has experienced significant disruption due to two severe storms within a month, leaving many homes, businesses, and farms without essential services for extended periods,” Deputy Daly said.
“These events highlight the urgent need for a stronger emergency response framework and better long-term planning to protect rural communities,” he added.
Resilience plan
The Roscommon-Galway TD is calling for an independent review to assess the placement of critical infrastructure, and ensure continuous risk assessments are conducted to mitigate damage before storms strike.
He believes that a significant audit of tree placement along power lines is needed to reduce the risk of widespread power failures in future extreme weather events.
Additionally, Deputy Daly wants water treatment plants and pumping stations to be safeguarded against power failures, to ensure uninterrupted supply, whether through on-site generators or alternative backup systems.
The TD has written to the Minister for Environment, Climate, and Communications, Darragh O’Brien, requesting a comprehensive resilience plan, that includes infrastructure audits, risk mitigation strategies, and clear funding commitments.
He has also insisted on a localised storm response framework, ensuring that rural areas receive the same urgency as urban areas.
“We cannot continue to rely on reactive measures. Roscommon-Galway needs long-term investment to stormproof our essential services,” he concluded.