Record levels were reported in Lough Derg today as the Taoiseach visited counties Westmeath and Offaly to see the effect of flooding in the midlands.
Speaking today, Brian Cowen indicated the Government may increase the €10 million funding it has approved for emergency relief for flood-affected areas if necessary.
Responding to questions that the funds allotted for humanitarian aid and emergency works was inadequate, Mr Cowen, who was visiting flood-affected areas in Athlone, said that ‘flexibility’ was the byword for the response of Government and of all agencies.
“We want to assist people. There are immediate problems of clothing, of bedding, of shelter, providing accommodation. All of that is being done,” he said. “You have to establish that priority in the first instance. When we get hopefully as soon as possible to a clean-up phase we will then be able to assess what is the damage that has been done.
“Humanitarian aid that we have provided funding for initially of €10 million that obviously will continue to be looked at to meet demands and requirements,” he added.
The Taoiseach was speaking in Athlone during a tour of affected areas that included his own constituency of Co Offaly, some flooded farmland in East Galway and Roscommon, as well as Athlone, which has been badly affected by flooding as a result of steep increases in the water level of the River Shannon.
There is still a flood warning for the lower River Shannon due to increasing water levels, with areas affected including Clonlara, Westbury and Shannon Banks.
The ESB reported this morning water levels rose again last night in Lough Derg and are at a record high. As a result, ESB increased discharge levels at Parteen Weir over the morning by up to 8 per cent.
This is expected to cause increased flood levels downstream of the weir by an estimated three inches over the current level, the ESB said, adding a slight fall in water levels was detected downstream this morning in some locations.
Limerick City Council said its crisis management team is continuing to meet in relation to the flood warning issued.
In a statement, the council noted the ESB today increased the level of water release at Parteen Weir but said there remains no immediate threat of flooding to properties within the administrative area of the City Council.
"All roads within the City Council’s administrative area are passable to vehicular traffic," the statement said.
Residents and businesses in the city area with specific concerns over the flood warning can contact the council at 061 407100 during normal office hours and 061 417833 outside those hours. The council will release a further update this evening.
In Cork city more than 18,000 houses remain without water as repair work continues on the pumping station on the Lee Road which had to be closed down on Friday after being submerged in flood waters from the river Lee.
Hundreds of residents from affected areas are availing of showers in hotel rooms in 10 different premises across the city. Cork City Council has advertised the participating premises on its website.
The council has also set up 40 collection points for water, mainly on the north side of the city where most of the affected homes are located.
Water levels at the Inniscarra dam are reported to be stabilising with flood levels on the rivers Lee, Bandon and Blackwater starting to recede.
The Irish Red Cross has launched an appeal and is encouraging people to make donations.
A spokesman for the Defence Forces said 182 personnel and 30 vehicles were providing emergency assistance in Cork, Ennis, Limerick, Gort, Ballinasloe, Athlone and Athy.
Over 55,000 sandbags had been provided by the Defence Forces, the spokesman said, and delivery of water for drinking and sanitation to 27 areas of Cork city continued.
Sinn Féin Dáil leader Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin today called on the Taoiseach to declare a national emergency and greatly increase Government aid to the victims.
"The situation has not abated in many areas and worsened in some. More flooding may be visited upon people in coming days and weeks, this being just the start of winter," he said.
"The devastation experienced by communities has won the sympathy of people across the country. In this context the €12 million assistance scheme announced yesterday is totally inadequate."
Met Éireann has forecast frequent heavy showers in northern and western areas today, with occasional showers and sunny spells elsewhere. Tomorrow, further showers will become confined to coastal counties of the north and west, with clear periods and isolated showers elsewhere.