Debate contribution: Storm Resilience and Infrastructure Preparedness

Debate contribution by Mrs Cathy Mason on 20 October 2025.

MLA

Mrs Cathy Mason

Party at the time

Sinn Féin

Date

20 October 2025

Type

Debate contribution

Business

Private Members' Business

Heading

Storm Resilience and Infrastructure Preparedness

Assembly identifier

Official Report component 5188928

Read the official Assembly record

Text

The need for all Departments to tailor their responses to the frequency and severity of storms and extreme weather events is increasingly clear, and the motion is timely. I am sure that everyone has seen yesterday's flooding in Newcastle in my constituency. It caused concern and panic for the local community. Many households were only millimetres away from their homes being flooded once again. I acknowledge the strength of the local community, particularly the Newcastle Regional Community Resilience Group, which provided vital communication throughout the day, and the Mourne Mountain Rescue Team, which brought a hiker down to safety. Upwards of 1,200 sandbags were made available and distributed to prevent flood damage to households in the area. DFI Roads and DFI Rivers officials were on the ground monitoring water levels at the Shimna river and clearing large stones and debris from the roads. They were elevating the seismic water run-off, which equated to three days' worth of rain across the course of the day, from the mountain. I welcome the fact that advice from the Department was consistent and that immediate action was taken to prevent extreme flood damage to homes. There are, of course, lessons to be learned to ensure that flooding can be avoided and, in worst-case scenarios, households protected. Lessons must also be learned from the Education Authority's delays in closing schools during storm Amy. They caused deep frustration and fear among parents and guardians. The lack of clear and timely communication caused chaos for schools and families. Schools in some counties were told to close early, but the lack of direct communication from the EA to schools on county borders caused confusion for parents. Schools were left to handle the resultant miscommunication, and that diverted focus from ensuring pupil and staff safety. Failing to close schools on time, with appropriate notice, put the safety of children and schools at risk.

The Education Authority said that, as of 11.30 on the morning of the storm, 18 schools had reported storm-related incidents to its maintenance service. Those mainly involved damage to roofs and fallen trees. With no alternative transport provided, parents had to collect their children during a storm warning, which placed parents and families at risk, despite the advice to avoid unnecessary travel. There should have been much better communication and coordination between the Department of Education, the EA and the Met Office. The Department and the EA should have listened to the advice in advance and instructed accordingly. When Departments and statutory agencies fail to work collaboratively, it leads to unnecessary disruption. Working together delivers stronger results for our communities. The flooding in Downpatrick and Newcastle in 2023 was devastating for the local area. Despite extremely challenging circumstances, the resilience of our small and family-run local businesses and the remarkable community spirit shone through when everyone came together to support one another. The interventions that followed the floods showed us how we are at our best when everybody works together. Former Economy Minister, Conor Murphy, announced the flood support scheme, which was a huge relief for our small and family-run local traders and assisted them with restoring their premises and allowed them to continue opening their doors to the community. I also acknowledge the work that was undertaken by former Infrastructure Minister, John O'Dowd, which laid the groundwork for his successor, the current Minister, Liz Kimmins. The First Minister and the then Infrastructure Minister, John O'Dowd, visited Downpatrick to meet the affected organisations and residents and view at first-hand the sites that had been devastated by the flooding. Infrastructure Minister, Liz Kimmins, has also met the residents and businesses in Newcastle and Downpatrick to listen to their concerns, and she is working on their behalf to help prevent such devastating events.

I agree with the Member's comments, which is why I am trying to reiterate that it is best when we all work together and form a response from all Departments. In responding to storms and extreme weather, every Department must play its part, not only by delivering the interventions that are needed to prevent damage but by stepping in to help communities recover and rebuild when disaster strikes. We are better when we work together. When it comes to storm and extreme weather responses, we need every Department to step up, work together and play its part, not only to deliver the early interventions that are required to prevent destruction and damage but to intervene and help communities to recover and rebuild after disaster strikes.

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

Assessment

Not flagged

Jev’s structured answers

Assessed 21 October 2026 at 13:35 UTC by jev-1.13.0 (requested as typesafe/jev) under rubric 2026.10-r9, methodology 1.9.

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