EAMON GILMORE PROPOSES PROGRAMME OF ACTION TO DEAL WITH WEATHER CRISIS

Issued : Thursday 7 January, 2010

The Leader of the Labour Party, Eamon Gilmore TD, has strongly criticised the failure of the government to respond adequately to the current weather crisis and has proposed a programme of action that should be initiated to alleviate the worst effects of the unprecedented period of cold weather.

“Nobody blames the government for the weather, but people are entitled to ask questions about why the response at national level has been so lacking.   Parts of the country, particularly in the West and North West have been experiencing arctic conditions since before Christmas, with families in some areas unable to leave their homes, but their plight has been largely ignored by the government.

“It is inevitable that difficulties will be created when we experience unique weather conditions, but there are a number of steps that must now be taken by the government.  These would include:

  • One government minister should be given overall responsibility for coordinating the response.
  • The Defence Forces should be mobilised to assist in the clearing of paths in urban areas, many of which are currently in a lethal condition.
  • Funding should be allocated to allow Local Authorities to take on temporary staff from the live register.
  • Local Authorities should be authorised to sub-contract clearance of secondary roads and suburban estates to private contractors.
  • Urgent steps should be taken to source supplies of grit or gravel in light of shortages of salt.
  • The fuel allowance should be temporarily increased to assist those on social welfare to cope with the additional heating costs.
  • After national roads priority should be given to roads that provide access to schools, hospitals and shops.
  • Every Local Authority should have an emergency help line to allow people to report problems or seek advice.
  • Efforts should be made to mobilise the efforts of many people who are willing to volunteer help to others in difficulties.
  • Local radio has been doing an excellent job in providing information and these stations should be utilised more.


There should be a national advertising campaign that would:
1)        Urge businesses and householders to clear paths outside their premises.
2)        Advise householders on measures to protect their homes.
3)        Provide advice for the elderly on measures to cope with the conditions and keep warm.

“Unfortunately the experience with this government has been that whenever there has been a crisis you can depend that the response will be too little, too late.

“At a time when we are experiencing the worst cold period for decades, there has been a total absence of leadership from the government with Ministers, who should be responsible for taking action, totally invisible.  Why is it that the government’s Emergency Response Coordinating Committee is only meeting today?

“This is more than a normal cold ‘snap’ which might last a few days, when the response can be safely left to the local authorities and with forecasts of sub-zero temperatures for at least another week, it is absolutely crucial that the government takes on responsibility for leading and coordinating the response and implement the programme of proposals I have set out.”

Digital Revolutionaries