NI Secretary Hilary Benn says there are 'ways to go' in clean up

Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn visited a number of places on Monday aiding in the storm clean-up

BBC Hillary Benn - a man with white hair and circular glasses. He is standing in front of a blue banner with NI Electricity Networks on it. He is wearing a grey jacket, a blue shirt and a red tie. — Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn visited a number of places on Monday aiding in the storm clean-up

There is still a “way to go” in the clean-up of Storm Éowyn, the Northern Ireland Secretary has said.

Homes have been damaged and about 60,000 properties in Northern Ireland remain without power for a fourth day after high winds battered the UK and Ireland last week.

Specialist engineers have arrived from England to help restore power, but Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE) has warned it could be 3 February before all properties are reconnected.

On a visit to Northern Ireland on Monday, Hilary Benn said the UK government is “working very hard” to help meet the requests for support for Northern Ireland, including through the mutual support aid.

“This is a practical crisis, and what people need is help – engineers, helicopters, bottled water, generators,” the NI Secretary said.

“These are the things that make a difference to people on the ground while they’re waiting for their lives to get back together and for the electricity supply to be restored.”

Benn said the quickness of engineers arriving in Northern Ireland to help repair the electricity network shows that mutual aid “is the foundation of our country”.

“We will continue to work hard to see that that is the case,” he added.

Maintenance workers were out in east Belfast on Sunday trying to clear roads after Storm Éowyn caused trees to fall

PA Media Two workmen in hi-vis uniforms stand beside a white van with 'Highway Maintenance' written on the back. To their right is a large tree which is obstructing the room with a cordon around it. — Maintenance workers were out in east Belfast on Sunday trying to clear roads after Storm Éowyn caused trees to fall

Earlier on Monday, the first and deputy first ministers called for Northern Ireland’s electricity distribution company to provide compensation to those affected by Friday’s storm.

Responding to whether the UK government would be pledging financial support, the NI secretary said if the executive found itself in the position that it could not cope with costs, the finance minister should make the request to the Treasury.

“Down the line will be a moment to consider cost and the position is as it has always been,” Benn said.

NIE engineers were in Hillsborough on Monday assessing damage to power lines after a tree fell during the storm

PA Media Two NIE engineers in reflective jackets and hard hats stand with their backs turned to the camera. One is pointing to a large tree which has fallen to the side near a power line. — NIE engineers were in Hillsborough on Monday assessing damage to power lines after a tree fell during the storm

At its peak, 30% of homes in Northern Ireland were without power following extensive damage to the electricity network caused by the storm.

However, NIE Networks managing director Derek Hynes has said it will be “around 10 days by the time we complete the repairs needed to get power back to everyone”.

Ronan McKeown, NIE future networks director, said it’s been “an extremely challenging situation” with their staff working “flat out”.

He estimated the majority of customers will have power back by Thursday.

‘Goodwill’ payments

Earlier, the first minister and deputy first minister called on Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE) to “step up” and provide support to those still without power.

Michelle O’Neill and Emma Little-Pengelly were speaking after a meeting with NIE and an Executive meeting which discussed storm damage response.

Specialist engineers have arrived from England to help restore power, but NIE has warned it could be 3 February before all properties are reconnected.

O’Neill said they “made the case very strongly to NIE that we believe there should be a goodwill payment”.

Little-Pengelly added that “these companies make significant profits every year” and it was important that support was provided in people’s “time of need”.

O’Neill and Little-Pengelly call on NIE Networks to issue goodwill payments

Little-Pengelly said that it was “unacceptable” that some are still without power.

She said NIE was due to respond shortly to the compensation proposal.

The deputy first minister said they had highlighted how Scottish energy companies “have been stepping up” with similar compensation for customers.

O’Neill added: “This is a difficult time for people – we’re into day four [without electricity] for some.

“We are pushing as hard as we possibly can in terms of getting everybody connected as quickly as possible.”

O’Neill also commended the multi-agency response to the storm and said there was “a very constructive conversation” over the weekend with the UK government about seeking additional support.