Government must deal with future flood threat, says EPA
A report from the Environmental Protection Agency is warning the Government must begin preparing to cope with extreme weather in the future.
The report from scientists at NUI Maynooth recommends new regulations be put in place to make sure new buildings can take the kind of conditions that are becoming more common in Ireland.
#TV3Weather ok folks so this is coming our way Friday night into Saturday and its another destructive one #StormRuth pic.twitter.com/utEW4Qj2y5
— Deric (@deric_tv) February 5, 2014
It sets out the parts of the country that researchers believe will be most at risk of flooding, but also warns that water shortages will affect all areas, particularly the south.
Junior Finance Minister Brian Hayes will visit flood-hit communities in Kerry and Cork today.
The visit comes after the Taoiseach admitted yesterday that the Government ha not earmarked enough funding to provide adequate flood defences around the country.
Thousands of homes and businesses in the south and southeast of the country have been left devastated after this week's flooding.
Minister Brian Hayes said that the Government has a plan for dealing with the clean-up operation.
"The Government will be presented with a memo next Tuesday at the Cabinet meeting by minister Hogan," he said.
"He will set out the full cost of this particular damage, across a number of Government departments and how exactly we're gong to fund this, because we need to get money quickly to those communities."
