We could have been better prepared for Storm Ali - Murphy

Fianna Fáil TD for Roscommon/Galway Eugene Murphy has said the country could have been better prepared for Storm Ali as winds caused chaos and claimed two lives in gusts which should have merited a red status alert.

As the Fianna Fáil spokesperson on Flood Relief and the OPW, Deputy Murphy noted that parts of counties Roscommon and Galway were worst hit by Storm Ali as many roads were left impassable and  thousands of homes and businesses were left without power or water, with gusts of up to 130km in some parts of the country.

“I would question whether in fact a red status alert should have been issued for Storm Ali as there seems to have been significantly more damage caused than the previous storms Ophelia and Emma,” said Deputy Murphy.

The Fianna Fáil TD also highlighted the fact that in response to a recent parliamentary party question it was revealed that there had been very slow movement on the establishment of a national flood forecasting and warning service.

“A steering group has been set up in relation to a national flood forecasting and warning service and even though they have met on 16 occasions it seems to be moving at an extremely slow pace and it is anticipated that it will take 5 years before it is fully operational which seems to beggar belief,” added Deputy Murphy.