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Gallagher: Government departments must pull together to tackle weather emergency

SDLP Regional Development Spokesperson Tommy Gallagher MLA has criticised the lack of a consistent approach by some authorities in their response to the cold weather emergency.

Sun 10th January

Repeating his call for OFMDFM to appoint a coordinator to lead the government’s response to the big freeze the Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLA said:

 

“In the Republic of Ireland Minister John Gormley has been given this role and in England the government have moved to officially recognise that they now have an emergency on their hands.

 

“Despite the fact that people here are cut off in their homes, home help and medical personnel cannot reach patients and many schools have been forced to close, the Executive continues with its disjointed response.

 

“For instance some local councils have carried out gritting work on footpaths and laneways while others have refused to do such work.

 

“Some school routes are being gritted and in other cases children going to school have to put up with treacherous road conditions.

 

“In areas where public services are working together it has been shown that a much better response is being achieved and many of the difficulties have been eased.

 

“The people in those areas have been given some sense that their concerns are being heard.

 

“Even at this late stage I am appealing to OFMDFM to follow good example elsewhere and to immediately appoint a Minister to coordinate the government’s response to the continuing severe weather.”
 

 

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