Noel Davern
Question:134 Mr. Davern asked the Minister for Finance the moneys, if any, he intends to allocate to compensate victims of flooding in Clonmel, County Tipperary. [1043/96]
Written Answers. - Compensation of Flooding Victims.
Noel Davern
Question:135 Mr. Davern asked the Minister for Finance the moneys, if any, he will allocate to individuals whose homes have been affected by the severe flooding at Carrick-on-Suir, County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1044/96]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 134 and 135 together.
I visited both Clonmel and Carrick-on-Suir and I have seen at first hand the nature and extend of the damage caused by flooding in those towns. I am conscious of the difficulties which the floods have caused for people affected and I wish to assure them of the sympathy and solidarity of the Government.
I expect that many of the people who have suffered loss will be able to recoup most or all of that loss from their Insurance Companies. I believe however that some humanitarian assistance will be required to help those who were uninsured through no fault of their own or who have suffered losses or hardship for which insurance cover could not have been secured.
I met Mr. David Williamson, Secretary General of the EU Commission in Brussels yesterday. I put the case forcibly for EU assistance, on humanitarian grounds, for the victims of flooding. I am pleased to say that Mr. Williamson responded positively to my request and indicated that he would propose that aid be provided to Ireland and Portugal, which had also suffered from flooding. He expected that a proposal would be put to the EU Commission on 24 January 1996. If approved by the Commission, the EU Council and Parliament would be requested to provide the necessary funding. This process would take 40 to 60 days.
Consideration will be given to further humanitarian assistance from the Exchequer in the light of the provision which is expected from the European Union. However, I must emphasise that any assistance from the Exchequer will necessarily be limited and the cost will have to be met from existing budget provisions.