Mayo TD Paul Lawless calls for Dáil to be recalled following ‘monumental’ Storm Éowyn damage

MAYO TD Paul Lawless has called for Dáil Éireann to be recalled to discuss the ‘monumental’ damage caused by Storm Éowyn.

The storm, which struck Mayo on Friday morning, caused widespread damage to the county’s infrastructure and left thousands without water and electricity. 

This comes as the Dáil is on a two-week recess following the appointment of Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin as Taoiseach. 

“The spectre of people in Mayo having to endure several more days without power, water and roads that are virtually impassable following Storm Eowan, while the Dail is on, yet another break is a bitter pill to swallow,” said Deputy Lawless. 

“Thankfully, Storm Éowyn is gone but the damage it has left in its wake is just monumental for the people of Co Mayo and I am calling for the immediate recall of the Dáil”.

“The idea that the Dáil is not sitting when we have thousands of people without power and water is incredible”.

The Aontú TD then accused the biggest Dáil opposition parties of ‘orchestrated histrionics’ when the lower house descended into chaos over proposals to give government-supporting Independent TDs opposition speaking time. 

“They were arguing about speaking time when we have no speaking time as it stands as the Dáil is not sitting to address the biggest infrastructure wipeout ever,” said Deputy Lawless. 

“It is mind-boggling to think that the Dáil has only sat 3 times in the past 77 days. This would be bad enough in ‘normal’ circumstances, but we have just experienced one of the worst storms to ever hit our country and the toll on communities is incalculable”.

“Look at the realities; Women who are pregnant, new parents with tiny babies, elderly people, people who have illnesses, vulnerable people, many living in very isolated rural areas are really suffering. This is winter and they are freezing, they can’t even make a cup of tea to warm themselves. They are trying to get kids out to school, get themselves to work, it is a nightmare for so many people”.

The first-time TD said some people have had to find alternative accommodation due to the lack of electricity throughout the county. 

Work is currently ongoing to restore electricity to numerous homes and premises throughout Mayo that lost power due to Storm Éowyn. 

Deputy Lawless commended Mayo County Council, the ESB and Uisce Éireann crews ‘for their trojan efforts in very challenging conditions’. 

“We need to strengthen and reinforce our electricity network. It is totally and utterly unacceptable that so many people are affected by power being knocked out and given we are told that storms are going to be more frequent it is incumbent on our Government to plan. If this was the East Coast - Government would not be in recess. there would be an emergency response,” he added.