**Building Ireland’s Resilience Against Extreme Weather**
The recent extreme weather events in Ireland, particularly in North Kerry, have highlighted the need for the government to review its climate adaptation measures urgently. Sinn Féin spokesperson on Climate and Environment, Pa Daly TD, has called on the government to take immediate action to build Ireland’s resilience against extreme weather events.

The Consequences of Ignoring Climate Change

Irish weather is changing, becoming more extreme, and for many, the consequences have been devastating. For example, in Listowel, heavy rainfall triggered devastating flooding in November, and the roof of the Tralee Sports complex collapsed due to heavy snowfall in January. The recent storms Darragh and Éowyn wreaked havoc on households, communities, and businesses across the country.

• Nearly 400,000 people lost power in the aftermath of Storm Daragh.
• At its peak, 768,000 homes were without power, 120,000 homes lost water, and 160,000 had their broadband cut off due to Storm Éowyn.

These events demonstrate the significant impact that extreme weather can have on communities and the economy. The government must learn from these experiences and take proactive measures to adapt to a changing climate.

A Stark Warning from Research

A recent study from Galway College of Science and Engineering highlights the potential consequences of inaction. According to the research, if a storm like Éowyn had occurred a week earlier, the aftermath would have been catastrophic for many areas of the country. Tidal conditions combined with hurricane-force winds would have created storm surges over five meters high in densely populated areas, leading to widespread flooding and damage.

This stark warning serves as a reminder that Ireland must urgently adapt to a changed climate. The government must take immediate action to build resilience against extreme weather events, protecting workers, families, communities, and businesses.

A Lesson from the Past

The government has a history of ignoring warnings and burying its head in the sand. For example, the energy regulator, the Commission for Regulation of Utilities, sounded the alarm bell years ago regarding the vulnerability of Ireland’s electricity network to extreme weather. Similarly, the government’s own climate adaptation plan for the electricity and gas sector in 2017 highlighted the dangers of falling trees and flooding. However, the government has failed to take decisive action to address these concerns.

“It is hard to believe that things could have been much worse. However, according to newly published research from Galway’s College of Science and Engineering, if it had happened a week earlier – the aftermath would have been catastrophic for many areas of the country.”

Pa Daly TD is urging the government to learn from its past mistakes and take immediate action to adapt to a changing climate. The aftermath of the next storm could be even worse if the government fails to act.

A Call to Action

Pa Daly TD is calling on the government to review its climate adaptation measures urgently and build Ireland’s resilience against extreme weather. The government must take proactive measures to adapt to a changing climate, protecting workers, families, communities, and businesses. • Increase funding for climate adaptation measures
• Implement robust infrastructure to withstand extreme weather
• Develop emergency response plans to mitigate the impact of extreme weather events

Conclusion

In conclusion, the recent extreme weather events in Ireland highlight the need for the government to review its climate adaptation measures urgently. Pa Daly TD is urging the government to learn from its past mistakes and take immediate action to build Ireland’s resilience against extreme weather events. It is essential that the government takes proactive measures to adapt to a changing climate and protect the country from the devastating consequences of extreme weather.