Politicians are to blame for floods, not the insurers

I have the greatest sympathy for those people affected by the spate of recent flooding. However, the insurance companies should not be compelled to insure these properties. As one of their representatives pointed out, they insure against risk, not against certainty. Also it would be most unfair to impose a levy on all others insured.

Surely the answer is for the Government or for a group of those affected to sue their local councillors or planners who gave planning permission to build on known flood plains.

On a recent RTÉ documentary, one councillor’s answer to the problem was to ‘build the houses on stilts’. And yet we continue to vote for these types!

Also culpable are those builders and developers who built in these areas.

I feel the banks who gave out mortgages on these properties should bear part of the responsibility too. Banks always insist on a surveyor’s report before offering a mortgage. Were they not aware of the problem?

Mike Mahon,

Templeogue, Dublin 6W

A stormy lesson

It’s said that a crisis can bring out the best in people. The recent storms that brought us some of the worst flooding in years can be offered as a shining example of this. Community spirit rose magnificently to a ferocious and often heart-breaking challenge.

As high winds and torrential rain pummelled the country and rivers burst their banks, people power met the direful gauntlet thrown down by Mother Nature.

Fire crews worked tirelessly, way beyond their normal hours, to save homes from flooding or to pump out water. People in towns and villages volunteered to help with flood defences, ferrying sandbags to homes.

Householders offered accommodation to neighbours whose homes were contaminated by flood water. People who never operated pumps learned quickly and stood shoulder to shoulder with firemen battling the flood waters.

In parts of rural Ireland hit by post office, Garda station and pub closures, and the loss of other essential facilities that threaten the way of life in the countryside, kindness and basic human decency were evident in abundance.

Perhaps the lesson of Storm Frank is that true community spirit will get us through any crisis.

John Fitzgerald,

Callan, Co. Kilkenny. …We, as a nation, this year celebrate the centenary of the 1916 rebellion. Millions will be spent on parades, exhibitions, redecoration of premises, etc.

Wouldn’t it be a fitting tribute to the men and women who gave their lives for Ireland if the money was put to better use?

Tackle the homelessness crisis, the health service crisis. Give those who have been afflicted by the recent storms support and hope, and put procedures in place to ensure these disasters can be avoided in the future.

Just imagine a happy and healthy country that our patriots would be so proud of.

Anne Byrne, by email.

Become a donor

How wonderful to see such a happy and healthy child arriving back home to Cork from Britain following his double lung transplant . How easy it is to become complacent about our health, especially when we are well.

Carrying a donor card is so easy and when and if the time comes that we are suddenly taken from our families – and if our organs are in good condition – why not make some other family’s life happy and thankful that a complete stranger cared enough to give life after death?

Seeing a child who has been given the gift of life is reason enough to become a donor.

Grace Bell, by email.

Mighty stretch!

Mid-January. What a time of year! Following a three-day respite from a decade of rain, pale people are starting to re-emerge in the great outdoors.

One would think that all the rain would have broken their spirit, but no. As daylight breaks the 5pm barrier all one hears are joyful declarations from people who behave as if they have never seen daylight before.

‘Great stretch in the evenings,’ or, ‘Mighty stretch in the evenings’ or, ‘That’s some stretch, it’s still bright at 5.10pm.’ The stretch is greeted with such excitement it provides a conversation opener for all.

People make stretch declarations as if they were never expecting to see daylight in the evening again. As a nation we don’t ask for much really – a few dry days, a few sunny days in July and a bit of daylight of a winter’s evening. We are easily pleased.

By mid February the stretch will be driving people wild with excitement.

No matter how much technology they throw at us, nothing excites us like the ould stretch in the evenings.

Xavier McCullough, Limerick.