A Clare Minister has hit back at criticism of government response to Storm Éowyn claiming the preparation in the lead up to the storm lead to the avoidance of a catastrophic situation. At the height of the extreme weather event, 768,000 homes farms and businesses were without power across the country, with 44,000 of those in Clare. There was extensive damage across the county, most notably at Liscannor Pier and the sea wall in Cappagh, while some people in Clare remained without power, water or broadband coverage for 11 days after the storm. Speaking in the Dáil, Junior Minister at the Departments of Agriculture and the Environment, Timmy Dooley, says there are lessons that can be learned for future weather events going forward.