The Government must conduct an independent inquiry into how huge swathes of the country have fallen victim to appalling flooding, according to Fine Gael Innovation Spokeswoman & Cork South Central TD Deirdre Clune.

There must be an independent inquiry to examine the causes of the current flooding crisis. And unlike previous reports into flooding disasters, I want the inquiry’s recommendations to be acted upon.

The Government has already agreed to Fine Gael’s demand to cost and tender for a national flood alert system. This must be based on a system of flood alert codes that results in co-ordinated preventative action from the local authorities, civil defence, the OPW, Met Éireann, the EPA and the emergency services.

England and Wales has adopted a system which issues a set of four easily recognisable codes if flooding is forecast. Each of the four codes indicates the level of danger associated with the warning. If such a system had been in place before this flooding crisis, it could have given the emergency services, businesses and homeowners a better opportunity to prepare.

Martin Mansergh, the Minister with responsibility for Flood Management, launched a flood risk report in Cork last April. He said at the time that: ‘the people of Cork would consider it entirely appropriate they set a standard for the country’.

Cork was the first place in the country hit by severe flooding last week. Eighteen thousand homes in the city are without water. An independent inquiry into the flooding crisis that identifies and actually tackles the causes, and a graded Flood Alert system, would go a long way towards turning the Minister’s soundbite into a reality.