Fitzmaurice: Fallen trees cause power failures after 'mild storm'
The TD was speaking in the aftermath of Storm Floris, which left around 10,000 homes, farms and businesses without power yesterday (Monday, July 4) after gusts of nearly 100km/hr.
ESB Networks confirmed that figure had fallen to approximately 2,700 customers by 5:00p.m.
Deputy Fitzmaurice said the "light storm" left residents in the west of Ireland without electricity once again.
He said the Ballinlough area had seen electricity lines fall, leaving homes without power just six months after new infrastructure had been installed.
'This is not acceptable. People who were left without power for 15 or 16 days during the last storm are now suffering again after a mere blow of wind. It is disgusting," he said.
The Roscommon-Galway TD called on Minister for Energy Darragh O'Brien to issue "a clear instruction on tree cutting".
He claimed that insufficient tree-cutting near power lines was at the root of the problem.
"The ESB now needs to take this by the scruff of the neck and once and for all decide what they're doing and what they're not doing,' he said.
The TD urged the government to 'forget about what people are objecting to' and take decisive action to remove all trees near to power lines.
"They must be taken out it's that simple, whatever the distance is required get it done to put an end to this once and for all.
'It's way past time that a stop is put to this codswallop. Get out there and cut them trees and this will not happen again," Fitzmaurice added.
The TD said it is "sickening" to see new power lines which were only put up six months ago being "flattened".
"When are we going to cop on as a country and put people before everything else?' he said.
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