Leitrim tornado relief
Deputy Verona Murphy asked what relief would be provided to Leitrim after the tornado and contrasted it with what she said Wexford received. The Taoiseach outlined humanitarian supports, microfinance and local authority repair funding as the measures in place.
Yesterday there was a mini tornado in Leitrim. Many of the people in Wexford watched with interest as the Taoiseach proclaimed he would bring a memo or a proposal to Cabinet that would see relief and support for the people of Leitrim. Thirteen months ago I sent the Taoiseach videos from Wexford of the mini tornado we had, which happened during the Hallowe'en recess. The scenes were that of Armageddon. There were no reliefs and, 13 months later, not one red cent has been paid to the people of Wexford. What reliefs is the Government proposing for the people of Leitrim and will they be extended and afforded to the people, mostly of south County Wexford although some in the north of the county were also affected?
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I thank the Deputy. I had an opportunity to visit Leitrim village yesterday and witness at first hand the damage done by the tornado. Having visited many places that have experienced a disaster, it was more reminiscent of an explosion than what you would expect to see from flooding, for example, or other events. It was discussed briefly at Cabinet today but there was no memo. What will be in place for the people in Leitrim is exactly what was in place for the people in Wexford, that is-----
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So nothing; that means nothing, Taoiseach. It means nothing because they have been given nothing 13 months later.
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It is the following three things: the humanitarian scheme that is being opened by the Department of Social Protection, and community welfare officers were there yesterday; microfinance, a loan for business people until the insurance comes through-----
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It is scurrilous, Taoiseach, that you stand there knowing none of those things fit-----
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-----for the people of Wexford or Leitrim.