Deputy Micheál Carrigy calls for electricity credits for Longford residents hit by severe Storm Éowyn damage

In his maiden Dáil Éireann speech, Deputy Micheál Carrigy called for urgent Government action and for electricity credits for Longford residents affected by severe Storm Éowyn damage. 

The Longford / Westmeath Fine Gael TD also expressed his gratitude to the people of Longford for entrusting him with the responsibility of representing them. In doing so, he follows in the footsteps of General Seán MacEoin from his native Ballinalee.

“I want to take this opportunity to thank the people of Longford for giving me the honour of representing them,” said Deputy Carrigy, in the Dáil last Thursday, February 6.

“I also extend my sincere gratitude to my family, my colleagues in Fine Gael, the members of Longford County Council, my campaign team, and all those who have supported and advised me over the years. I commit to working tirelessly on behalf of my constituents over the next five years.”

Also read: Longford's Joe Flaherty secures seat in the Seanad following Taoiseach's nomination

Deputy Carrigy used his maiden speech to highlight the devastating impact of the recent storm on County Longford, which caused widespread destruction and significant hardship for families, businesses, and farmers. He noted that 89% of households and businesses lost power, one of the highest percentages in the country.

Also read: Big community clean-up in north Longford to remove Storm Éowyn debris from GAA pitches

“I want to thank the ESB crews, Civil Defence, family resource centres, Longford County Council staff, and Irish Water teams who worked tirelessly night and day to restore services as quickly as possible. However, many homes and businesses have suffered extensive damage, and some people in my home county are still without power.”

Also read: Man arrested as Longford Gardaí seize €6,000 worth of drugs during planned search

Deputy Carrigy highlighted the distressing case of a 95-year-old woman who has been without power for 13 days, underscoring the severe impact of electricity outages on families, older people, and businesses. “A loss of electricity is not just an inconvenience; it has serious consequences. The financial burden of repairs, spoiled goods, and ongoing disruptions is growing by the day,” he stated.

Deputy Carrigy demanded urgent national action to assist those affected, calling on the Government to:

• Expand the humanitarian assistance scheme to include not just lower-income families, but all those affected by the storm.
• Provide direct financial support to businesses and farmers who have suffered damage to critical infrastructure.
• Allocate additional funding to Longford County Council for road repairs, tree clearance, and restoration of essential public services.
• Ensure flexibility within existing rural development funding schemes to aid storm recovery efforts.
• Introduce electricity bill credits for affected households and businesses, ensuring that those who endured multiple days without power receive financial relief on their energy bills.

Beyond addressing the immediate crisis, Deputy Carrigy stressed the need for long-term investment in infrastructure and resilience planning.

Also read: Soul destroying: Longford school sensory garden in final stages of completion torn asunder by Storm

“We are seeing storms of this magnitude more frequently. We must take action to better protect our communities,” he said. “That includes ensuring generators are available in every community, particularly at Irish Water plants, to prevent future prolonged outages.”

Also read: Great shock and sadness across Longford following death of popular businessman

Concluding his remarks, Deputy Carrigy reiterated his commitment to advocating for Longford and ensuring that rural communities are not left behind.

Also read: Need support? Humanitarian Assistance Scheme available to Longford families impacted by Storm Éowyn

“I urge the Government to act swiftly so that the people of Longford receive the support they need without delay. Rural Ireland matters. Longford matters.”