McDonald and O’Callaghan calls on Taoiseach to recall Dáil in storm aftermath

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has written to Taoiseach Micheál Martin, urging that he “immediately” reconvenes the Dáil in the aftermath of Storm Éowyn.

Friday saw Storm Éowyn, described as a “once in a generation storm”, bring the country to a standstill.

Provisional data from Met Eireann recorded a wind gust of 183km/h off the coast of  Ireland on Friday, breaking a record that was set in 1945.

The aftermath of the storm has left thousands without power and water, with hundreds of customers across the Dublin region still without power.

The west coast was the worst-hit region by the storm, with the ESB warning that power may not be restored to all customers until after Friday.

Éowyn hit the country the night after Micheál Martin was made Taoiseach once again, along with the rest of his Cabinet.

The government voted to adjourn the Dáil until February 5, with a government source telling RTÉ it is “tradition” for a new government to give itself a 2 week break to allow new ministers to familarise themselves with their new roles.

The break comes in the aftermath of the November 29th general election and subsequent weeks of coalition talks.

Writing on Twitter on Monday morning, McDonald said “I have written to An Taoiseach urging that he immediately reconvene the Dáil to address the crisis facing the country in the aftermath of Storm Éowyn.”

“So many people are going through a very tough time with serious disruption to their lives. Hundreds of thousands are without electricity and water and face the uncertainty of more days without supply,” the Dublin Central TD said.

“Households and communities are dealing with real emergencies. TDs must be given the opportunity to raise these issues and concerns directly with government and to engage on the responses and supports needed; The Taoiseach must urgently recall the Dáil,” she said.

Fellow Northside TD Cian O’Callaghan said “it beggars belief” that the Dáil isn’t sitting to deal with the crisis.

“Three days later, there are still 260,000 households and businesses without electricity – with 100,000 now expected to be without power until the end of next week,” the Social Democrats TD noted.

“This is a real crisis, which is having a devastating impact on hundreds and thousands of people. Not only are many families without power, tens of thousands are also without water.”

“The situation is particularly difficult for families with young children and for farmers who are trying to feed animals and milk cattle.”

“The ESB and emergency services have done incredible work, to try to restore services in difficult conditions; they should not be working in a vacuum,” the Dublin Bay North TD said.

“It beggars belief that, in the midst of this crisis, there are no plans for the Dáil to sit,” he remarked.

“Storm Éowyn was one of the most powerful and damaging wind events to hit the country in nearly 200 years – and yet, the government wants to continue with a two-week recess while families and communities are left to pick up the pieces. It is critical that the Dáil sits this week so that the destruction that has been caused in so many parts of the country can be discussed – along with plans to provide emergency supports,” he said.