Almost a week after Storm Éowyn wreaked havoc across Ireland, thousands remain without power, water, and basic services. Anger is growing over the government’s handling of the crisis, with many accusing officials of failing to prepare and respond effectively.
On Wednesday morning, Independent TD Michael Fitzmaurice delivered a scathing assessment of the government’s response, calling for an immediate and all-encompassing emergency plan to address the ongoing hardship faced by households, farmers, and businesses. Earlier this week, Deputy Claire Kerrane had voiced her frustrations about the Government’s resistance to recalling the Dáil early from a two-week recess.
Their interventions come as public frustration mounts, with Taoiseach Micheál Martin being directly confronted by residents during his visit to Roscommon on Tuesday. Rachel Connolly from Cloonkeen, Castlerea, told the Taoiseach her family has been without power since the storm hit and that they’ve now been informed they won’t be reconnected until February 5.
“Freezing in their homes”
Deputy Fitzmaurice warned that the crisis is far from over: “We are facing a situation where people’s health is at risk, and immediate intervention is required. This is not the time for delay. It is critical that we take urgent action to provide immediate relief to those affected by this storm.”
While he praised the tireless efforts of local communities, emergency services, and ESB workers in clearing roads and restoring services, he insisted that the government must take swift and decisive action.
Fitzmaurice called for the immediate removal of the means test for the Humanitarian Assistance Scheme, arguing that many people who urgently need help may not qualify for support under current criteria: “People who are employed are as affected by the damage just as much as those who are not, and a means test in such a crisis should not be a prerequisite for assistance.”
The TD also urged the government to fund a national system to install generators in homes across the country, particularly in vulnerable communities. He stressed that qualified electricians should be deployed to ensure the safety of installations and to prevent risks like power surges: “Backup power is a necessity, and the government should be in a position to provide it.”
Farmers left in crisis
The farming community has been among the hardest hit, with sheds, livestock shelters, and feed stores destroyed by the storm. Fitzmaurice called for the establishment of an emergency fund to support farmers facing financial hardship due to the destruction: “Many of these structures, where livestock and feed were stored, were not insured due to their age.”
He also urged that all Department of Agriculture and Bord Bia inspections be suspended for at least a month to allow farmers time to recover, as well as a six-month deferral on environmental scheme inspections to give them the opportunity to repair fences, walls, and remove fallen trees.
With reports suggesting that up to 40 per cent of forestry has been destroyed in some areas, Fitzmaurice said the government must implement a fast-tracked system for cutting windblown trees, similar to the Welsh model. He continued to say: “Farmers who have planted forestry on their land are facing a massive crisis—the government must step in and support these farmers.”.
“Irish Water has failed”
Fitzmaurice directed some of his strongest criticism at Irish Water, saying its lack of preparation has worsened the crisis: “I have spoken to many good people on the ground in Irish Water and others in middle management who are doing their best, but the failure to properly prepare for this disaster gives the impression that many are running around like headless chickens not knowing what to do or how to do it.”
He argued that much of the crisis could have been avoided had Irish Water and the government ensured backup generators were available at key pumping stations and booster pumps: “There has been plenty of advance notice; we have had warnings since last Wednesday that this was to be a storm unlike any other, and still here we are—hundreds of thousands without water, power, and heat.”
Fitzmaurice also criticised the response of some private contractors responsible for DBO water schemes, saying that while some have acted responsibly, others have failed to bring in generators to restore supply.
“Some DBOs are taking responsibility and acting responsibly, but I have been told of contractors who are sitting on their hands in relation to bringing in generators,” he said. “Again, this is an unacceptable situation that must be addressed when we have had time to assess what went wrong here and what needs to change to prevent these issues from occurring again.”
Telecom failures
Fitzmaurice also pointed to the widespread failure of telecommunications networks, particularly in rural areas, with mobile phone and broadband services still down in parts of Roscommon, East Galway, and West Longford.
He noted that major phone providers such as Vodafone have long neglected the region and said the issue must be addressed. “Well before the storm, I have been raising the issue of poor coverage in this area and have had contact with Vodafone previously, as the signal is nothing short of disgraceful,” he said.
He also accused the National Broadband Plan (NBI) of failing to maintain proper clearance around broadband cables. “NBI receive hundreds of millions in state funding and are responsible for ensuring that broadband cables clear hedgerows; frankly, they do the bare minimum and are cutting hedges back a maximum of 12 inches from cables—it is a disgrace what they are getting away with,” he said.
“Fallen trees caused 95 per cent of the problems”
The damage caused by fallen trees was a major focus of Fitzmaurice’s remarks, as he reiterated his call for a permanent law requiring that any tree within 30 metres of a road or power cable be cut back.
“Storm Éowyn caused widespread damage due to trees falling on power lines, roads, and communication cables,” he said. “The destruction caused by trees during this storm has decimated the broadband infrastructure, potentially costing hundreds of millions, and it is clear that such measures are urgently needed to prevent further devastation.”
“Regulate, rethink, and reevaluate”
Fitzmaurice also raised concerns about the vulnerability of homes that rely solely on air-to-water heating systems, saying the government must review its approach to energy efficiency: “Many homes are without heat, and the situation is critical for the elderly and vulnerable people who need immediate warmth.”
He urged the government to open more community hubs where vulnerable residents can access heat, food, and other essential services and also called for financial aid for small businesses impacted by the prolonged power and broadband outages.
Fitzmaurice called for a full review of what went wrong in the government’s response and how similar crises can be avoided in the future: “There needs to be a forensic review of what went wrong here—yes, it was a bad storm, and yes, storms happen, but it’s the failure to adequately prepare and react to what has happened that has been so concerning.”
“Now is the time to regulate, rethink, and reevaluate how we are going to move forward. It is time for action and time for common sense.”
Kerrane voices frustration over the Government’s handling of storm response
As the fallout from Storm Éowyn continues to cause widespread disruption, Sinn Féin TD for Roscommon-Galway, Claire Kerrane, has criticised the government’s refusal to reconvene the Dáil, questioning why elected representatives have not been brought back to address the crisis.
“I have heard plenty of pushback from the Government on the call I made on Sunday for the Dáil to be reconvened,” she said. “You would think Government Ministers were on the frontline repairing water and restoring power.”
Kerrane pointed out that the Dáil had been in recess for 12 weeks and argued that it should be sitting regardless. “In what other emergency situation would we suspend the Dáil?” she asked.
With thousands still without power and services still severely disrupted, she said she has been inundated with queries from constituents—farmers, school principals, and families left struggling in the aftermath of the storm—but has no direct means to get immediate answers.
“I am getting asked questions from people without power, farmers, school principals, people who put me in the position I am in to represent them, and all I can do is email the Minister/Department and wait for replies—it might be a day, it could be three, it could be five. What are people supposed to do?”
Updated 22:24, Jan 29:
Seanad candidate adds to concerns
Adding to the chorus of concerned voices, Senator Eugene Murphy (Independent) has said: “I’m just calling for an emergency to be declared as I have discovered lots of vulnerable people now in challenging positions.”
The candidate for the Seanad Agricultural Vocational Panel- for which counting will begin tomorrow (Thursday)- says he has also asked Minister Dara Calleary to grant aid the purchase of generators “particularly for vulnerable families with health issues.”
Murphy’s criticism continued: “I also think it is incredibly nonsensical for an island on the Atlantic Ocean that we don’t have a plan B for serious storms. I want planning laws updated to allow for a chimney to be constructed on every new house so people can light a fire when there is a loss of power so they can boil a kettle and have a bit of heat. We need to be practical in life and the political system must listen to the people.”
A former Fianna Fáil TD and frontbench spokesperson for the OPW and Flooding, Murphy is holding an emergency clinic in the Percy French Hotel in Strokestown on Saturday morning for the victims of the Storm Éowyn.
The comments from opposition politicians reflect the growing frustration among the public over the Government’s handling of the crisis. The refusal to recall the Dáil has been widely criticised, particularly as emergency sittings have been held in the past for far less significant issues. However, it should be noted that it is customary, albeit unpopular, that following the election of a new Taoiseach and appointment of a cabinet, the new Government would take a one or two-week recess.
