Taoiseach Briefed on Emergency Response to Flooding

The Taoiseach Mr. Brian Cowen T.D. held a meeting with the Minister for the Environment and Local Government Mr. John Gormley T.D. and the Co-ordinator of the Emergency Task Force. This followed a special meeting of the Emergency Task Force earlier today. They reviewed the response of the emergency services and local authorities to the unprecedented flooding that has so severely impacted on many parts of the Country.

The immediate priority for Government is to ensure that shelter is available for those people who have been displaced from their homes and to arrange for the provision of emergency supplies of safe drinking water where systems have been damaged.

Following the meeting Minister Gormley immediately departed for Cork to meet with those involved in the emergency response and to ensure that every possible assistance is available to the response effort.

The Minister will also visit other affected regions and report back to a further meeting of the Emergency Task Force which will be chaired by the Taoiseach, tomorrow afternoon.

Earlier today the Minister for State at the Office of Public Works Mr Martin Mansergh T.D., accompanied engineering staff from his Office assessed the impact of the flooding in a number of areas including Clonmel.

The Taoiseach thanked the emergency services and everyone involved in the relief effort over recent days. Given that the weather forecast indicates that the difficulties will continue for some time yet, the Taoiseach also assured everyone that the emergency response will continue for as long as necessary.

End

20^th Nov 2009.

Editors Note:

The Emergency Task Force meeting took place at 3pm today in the National Emergency Coordination Centre. It was attended by representatives from the Departments of the Environment and Local Government, Justice, Health and Children, Defence, Transport and Taoiseach. Also in attendance were members of the Coast Guard, Gardaí, Army, and a representative from Met Éireann.