That Roscommon County Council write to the ESB requesting a detailed report outlining the measures undertaken in County Roscommon since Storm Eowyn.

This report should include:

The steps taken to maintain and strengthen electricity lines. 

Whether the ESB has engaged with forestry companies to put in place a joint approach to managing the impact of future storms. 

Whether there has been any re-examination of the Vulnerable Customer Register.

That Roscommon County Council write to the ESB requesting a detailed report outlining the measures undertaken in County Roscommon since Storm Eowyn.

This report should include: The steps taken to maintain and strengthen electricity lines.  Whether the ESB has engaged with forestry companies to put in place a joint approach to managing the impact of future storms.  Whether there has been any re-examination of the Vulnerable Customer Register.

The Meetings Administrator read the following reply:

This Motion requires a Resolution of the Council.

Cathaoirleach Cllr. Callaghan suggested that correspondence should also be sent to Coillte.

Cllr. Cull highlighted that, following Storm Amy, North Roscommon again experienced power outages. She noted Roscommon is often excluded from severe weather warnings by Met Éireann despite neighbouring counties being included. She questioned what measures have been implemented since Storm Éowyn and called for a Roscommon-specific report, given the county was among the worst affected. She raised concerns about trees being planted under powerlines and queried the effectiveness of the Vulnerable Customer Register, particularly for those reliant on electricity for medical equipment. She commended the Council’s recently published Community Resilience Toolkit.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Cull

             SECONDED by Cllr. Ward

It was AGREED to write to the ESB requesting a detailed report outlining the measures undertaken in County Roscommon since Storm Eowyn. This report should include: The steps taken to maintain and strengthen electricity lines.  Whether the ESB has engaged with forestry companies to put in place a joint approach to managing the impact of future storms.  Whether there has been any re-examination of the Vulnerable Customer Register.

Members supported the motion and raised the following points:

• Lessons from Storm Éowyn must inform future measures.
• Responsibility for maintaining forests and overhead lines needs clarity.
• Praise for ESB staff who worked tirelessly during recent storms.
• Calls to review tree planting near powerlines.
• Suggestion to meet with ESB and EirGrid.
• Query whether outages are due to capacity issues.
• Vulnerable Customer Register needs improvement and enforcement during outages.
• Poor communication from ESB.
• ESB, Coillte, and the Department of Forestry should outline current and future actions.
• Criticism of Met Éireann’s warning system.
• Storms continue to strain Council resources.
• Query if SEAI solar schemes include battery provisions.
• Three ESB regions cover Roscommon, making information access difficult.
• Praise for local farmers, clubs, and volunteers during Storm Éowyn.
• Duration of outages is unacceptable.
• ESB infrastructure is outdated.
• Electricity prices in Ireland are among the highest in Europe.
• ESB passing costs to Local Authorities is unacceptable.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Frain

             SECONDED by Cllr. Dineen

It was AGREED to request that representatives from ESB and Coillte are invited to present to Elected Members on this matter. ESB area managers for Cavan, Tuam and Longfors are also requested to attend.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Duffy

             SECONDED by Cllr. Fallon

It was AGREED to write to SEAI to request a detailed report outlining the scope of the solar power grant for vulnerable customers and whether batteries are included as part of the grant. 

Cathaoirleach Cllr. Callaghan noted recent legislation published by Minister Darragh O’Brien on strengthening ESB storm resilience and requested that Members be furnished with this information.

Cllr. Crosby asked Director of Finance, Sean Mullarkey, to clarify ESB’s requirement for the Council to fund infrastructure, which is delaying lighting works and could set a precedent for diverting funds from other areas. Cathaoirleach Cllr. Callaghan advised this would be deferred to the next meeting.

Cllr. Cull thanked Members for their support and clarified that her comments were directed at ESB management, not frontline staff, who work tirelessly during storm events.