Cowen Announces Aid For Flood Victims

Taoiseach Brian Cowen has announced the Government will provide State assistance to those hardest hit by the ongoing flooding crisis.

Speaking at today's Cabinet meeting, Mr Cowen said where humanitarian aid is required the Government will respond. However details of the nature of the aid has not been disclosed.

Responding to the announcement, Labour's South Tipperary Senator Phil Prendergast said farmers seriously affected by the ongoing heavy flooding should be eligible for compensation.

This week the IFA President called for an emergency package to be put in place by the Government to assist those worst by the flooding crisis. This must include rural dwellers whose houses have been flooded and farmers who have lost their valuable winter feed stocks.

Ms Penderghast said the flooding was likely to push up feed prices because the maize and beet used for this is usually harvested around now. But farmers will be unable to do this because the flooding will prevent access their land for a number of weeks.

"Indeed much of the harvest will be lost altogether while whatever is harvested is likely to be low quality because it will be sodden.

"All of this is against a backdrop of banks being bailed out by a Government that has failed to ensure that the credit needed by people like farmers is available."

(DW/BMcc)