Government has abandoned Mayo businesses in wake of Storm Éowyn – Conway-Walsh

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Enterprise, Rose Conway-Walsh TD, has called on the government to step up to the plate and offer supports to businesses affected by Storm Éowyn.
Deputy Conway-Walsh was speaking ahead of moving a Dáil motion today calling for greater government support for businesses in the wake of the storm.
Teachta Conway-Walsh said:
“The reality is that the government was flat-footed in its response to Storm Éowyn. All of the agencies involved from Met Éireann, to the ESB and Uisce Éireann, flagged that this was a major storm and there would be significant and serious damage sustained.
“I cannot fathom why, armed with this prior knowledge, the government did not have defence force personnel on standby to assist with clearing trees and debris away to enable technicians to access electrical cables. We all know that homes and businesses were left for far far too long without power and water.
“In the case of many vulnerable people living alone the only thing that got them through were the updates on local, regional and community radio stations throughout the storm.

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“I commend the broadcasters for their public service work. The government has paid lip service to these stations for decades, they must now reform the Sound and Vision Fund and properly support this sector.
“We are now almost three weeks after the event and the government is yet to offer any business supports.
“I have spoken to many people, many of them in Mayo, involved in the retail, farming, fishing and hospitality sectors and their dismay is turning to anger.
“I am urgently asking the government, even at this late stage, to ensure that there is a support fund established for businesses impacted by Storm Éowyn.
“Furthermore, the government has been warned that this type of weather event will happen again.
“I want to know what steps are being taken to build resilience into our electricity networks, our water infrastructure, our communications networks to make sure that people are never abandoned for weeks on end in this way again.”