As hundreds of thousands of people around the country remain without electricity and water following Storm Éowyn, Minister for Climate, Environment and Energy Darragh O’Brien has said that people shouldn’t be trying to “politicise” the storm’s aftermath but should get behind the clean-up efforts.
Speaking during a briefing from the National Emergency Co-ordination Group, Minister O’Brien was responding to calls from Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald and other opposition parties for the Dáil to be recalled to address the crisis.
“To be very frank, the recall of the Dáil, and maybe people trying to politicise an event like this is not where we should be,” Minister O’Brien said, adding that “people should be continuing to support our local authorities, continuing to support our emergency services”.
“No speech in Dáil Éireann is going to restore power or water or assist a community,” he said.
Deputy McDonald announced earlier today that she has written to Taoiseach Micheál Martin urging him to “immediately reconvene the Dáil to address the crisis facing the country in the aftermath of Storm Éowyn”.
Following the election of the Taoiseach and appointment of Government ministers last Thursday, the Dáil adjourned and is scheduled to return Wednesday, February 5.
In her letter, which was seen by the Irish Mirror, Ms McDonald called on the taoiseach to “demonstrate decisive leadership in this moment of crisis by recalling the Dáil as a matter of urgency”.
“Not to do so would be political negligence,” she wrote.
“It is essential that the Government engage directly with elected representatives to address these acute concerns and to put in place the measures necessary to assist those in need. Now is the time for action.”
According to ESB Networks and Uisce Éireann, over 200,000 premises remain without power while some 100,000 people are without water.
Some areas have been told that it will be early February by the time utilities are restored.
The Government has said that 14 emergency response hubs have been established across the country, while more are being set up in co-operation with local authorities.