This article is from page 21 of the 2014-02-25 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 21 JPG
CLARE will not be given a “blank cheque” by the Government to complete repairs following unprecedented storm damage in the west and north of the county in recent months.
The is according to Tánaiste and Labour leader Eamon Gilmore, who was in Ennistymon for the opening of the annual Clare Tourism Conference on Friday.
According to Deputy Gilmore, the Government will respond to Clare County Council’s € 36 million storm damage bill soon but he would not give any details as to how much money would be allocated to the Banner County and where that money would come from.
“The recent extreme storms have taken a heavy toll on the infrastructure of key tourism destinations in this county.
“The picture of those enormous waves crashing over Lahinch has become in many ways a defining image of recent weather events,” he said.
“This Government has responded to the severe weather damage, making € 70 million available for a programme of repair and remediation works in the areas affected.
“This is in addition to the € 25 million announced for the Department of Social Protection’s Humanitarian Assistance Schemes.
“We are currently awaiting an assessment from Local Authorities of what is required to deal with damage from the latest storms to hit these shores.
“As well as dealing with the consequences of the recent weather, the OPW are looking at what is required for the future in the way of additional coastal defences – flood protection works and a national flood warning system.
“They will be reporting back to Government on this.
“Of course, the resilience that you have all shown in withstanding such extremity is a national trait that has been critical to our survival in general, especially in the face of the economic crisis of the past few years,” he added.