Debate contribution: Storm Resilience and Infrastructure Preparedness

Debate contribution by Mr Robbie Butler on 20 October 2025.

MLA

Mr Robbie Butler

Party at the time

Ulster Unionist Party

Date

20 October 2025

Type

Debate contribution

Business

Private Members' Business

Heading

Storm Resilience and Infrastructure Preparedness

Assembly identifier

Official Report component 5188395

Read the official Assembly record

Text

I beg to move

Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. It is a matter of fact that, this year, Northern Ireland has been subject to a series of increasingly severe storms. Those storms have left a trail of damage and destruction that is both physical and deeply human. Families, farmers and entire communities have faced fallen trees, toppling poles, flooded roads, the danger of aquaplaning vehicles and, in many cases, community and individual isolation. The extreme weather has exposed our vulnerabilities. It has reminded us painfully that we are not adequately prepared. The time for reaction is over, and the time for preparation must begin. Storms will inevitably come again, and it is our responsibility to act together now to build long-term, effective solutions that will protect lives, homes and livelihoods. I express my support for the residents of County Down, particularly those in Newcastle, who endured heavy rainfall and flooding over the weekend that left many fearing for their lives and the safety of their homes. I am sure that many if not all of us have seen the pictures and video footage of the properties that were damaged. I think particularly of the Tullybrannigan Road area, which was cut off, leaving residents feeling trapped and helpless. The fact that much of that was predictable and, to an extent, preventable makes it all the more frustrating. With better planning, coordination and communication, we could make a difference. That is why this debate is not just necessary but urgent. We must close the gaps in our storm preparedness and put in place permanent or long-term solutions rather than short-term fixes. Rural areas, as always, tend to suffer most. When storms hit, they are often the last to be reconnected and to receive help. I am often asked, "Are we the first to be forgotten?". Limited infrastructure and stretched emergency services mean that, when trees fall or flooding occurs, small villages and farms can be entirely cut off. During storm Éowyn, many rural homes, farms and businesses were left without electricity for weeks, and MLAs across the Chamber worked tirelessly to get people reconnected. People faced devastating losses of livestock and property. Better rural connectivity and stronger infrastructure are absolutely key if we are serious about protecting those communities. The threat to life posed by extreme weather is not fully recognised, even after the devastation of storm Éowyn and storm Amy. Too often, we focus on the visible damage — the fallen trees, the flooded roads and the power outages — but we sometimes forget that behind those stories are people whose lives are genuinely at risk. We need much stronger collaboration between councils, emergency responders and national agencies, and I thank the people who respond. Communication is crucial, not to create panic but to educate and empower communities to act early and stay safe. Those improvements could literally mean the difference between life and death. I turn briefly to our modern healthcare system. More people than ever rely on medical equipment at home, such as oxygen machines, ventilators and other devices, where an interruption to electricity or broadband is not merely an inconvenience but can be life-threatening. We must give those people consistency, assurance and protection. The recent storms have also raised serious questions about the efficiency of our emergency systems. Take, for instance, the late notice from the Education Authority regarding school closures on Friday 3 October. Many parents and staff were left scrambling at the last minute, while public transport had already been suspended. That confusion was unnecessary and avoidable. The early activation of emergency plans with clearer coordination can prevent panic and help keep people safe. Our power network remains outdated and vulnerable. It is fragile, and every major storm exposes that weakness. Despite repeated opportunities, we have not yet fully embraced renewable resources, such as wind, solar, hydro and anaerobic digestion. Doing so would not only strengthen our energy security, which needs to become a serious matter for debate, but decentralise generation and move us towards a more sustainable and resilient future. We should also look outward. Other countries have faced even harsher weather. From the Netherlands to Australia, we can see cases where they have shown what can be achieved through investment and, in particular, resilient flood defences and community-based preparedness. In Australia, for example, flash flood response relies heavily on education and local drills. Northern Ireland can and should learn from those international examples, adopting what works, adapting what does not and building a strategy fit for our unique landscape. As we look to the future, we must also ensure that our ambition for green, energy-efficient communities goes hand in hand with building storm-proof, resilient communities. Sustainability and strength must be integrated; it is not one or the other. We need to create homes and neighbourhoods that are as efficient as they are robust. Let us act with urgency and focus on collaboration. Let us ensure that every community, whether it is rural or urban, is not just ready but empowered when the next storm arrives. We owe it to the people whom we represent and their communities to let them know that they are not defined by tomorrow's storms and that the Chamber is speaking about it today, and we are going to act.

880 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Assessment

Not flagged

Jev’s structured answers

Assessed 21 October 2026 at 13:31 UTC by jev-1.13.0 (requested as typesafe/jev) under rubric 2026.10-r9, methodology 1.9.

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