Taoiseach chairs emergency task force meeting after floods

21/11/2009 - 09:02:54
The Taoiseach will today chair a meeting of the emergency task force set up to look at ways to help those who have been hardest hit by this week's flooding.

The worst of the flood waters have receded in many parts of the country - but heavy rainfall predicted for later could see further problems in the west and south.

Met Eireann says up to 50 milimetres of rain is expected to fall over the course of the weekend.

With water levels already high, this is expected to hamper clean-up operations.

The Minister for the Environment is also touring some of the worst affected areas, starting with Cork.

Council staff have worked through the night shoring up the 20-metre hole that the River Lee left in the quay wall at Grenville Place.

Forty-three people living in nearby buildings have been evacuated, amid fears the properties may have become unstable.

They join dozens of others who were put up in local hotels, after their homes were flooded early yesterday morning.

Meanwhile, half the city still has no running water - and it may not return until Wednesday.