‘Government must dedicate funding’: Kilkenny MEP criticises Taoiseach’s flood relief comments

Micheál Martin visited areas affected by flooding in the county on Monday

Published 4th Feb 2026, 12:00 BST Flooding in Thomastown during the recent heavy rain. Photo: Harry Reid Micheál Martin visited areas affected by flooding in the county on Monday Sign up to our Kilkenny Live newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know you can manage your profile, and explore all of the available newsletters from Kilkenny Live within your account.

Sinn Féin MEP for Ireland South, Kathleen Funchion, has criticised Taoiseach Micheál Martin’s comments made in Kilkenny yesterday, in which he said there is “no magic wand” to deliver flood relief.

Ms Funchion said that the extent of the flooding damage would not have been as severe had long-term flood defence plans been fulfilled by Mr Martin’s government.

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Speaking from Kilkenny, Ms Funchion said: “The government must dedicate funding to completing flood defence plans that have been stalled for almost a decade. There is no doubt that those affected by the recent floods need support to help with the clean-up and to get back on their feet, but short-term and temporary solutions are half-measures, and we will find ourselves in the same position again in a few years.”

“Time and again, ministers arrive during floods with promises of action, only for those commitments to be forgotten once the floodwaters recede. Micheál Martin’s comments yesterday that there is ‘no magic wand’ to deliver relief ring hollow, given that he has spent many years in government, including as Taoiseach.”

“Long-term flood defence plans have been drawn up and ready to go for years, lacking only political will and funding. If those flood defence commitments had been fulfilled during that time, the extent of the flooding damage this week would not have been as severe.”

Related topics: Kathleen Funchion Kilkenny Micheal Martin Sign up to our Kilkenny Live newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know you can manage your profile, and explore all of the available newsletters from Kilkenny Live within your account.