The Taoiseach has promised financial assistance for uninsured householders hit by last Friday's floods in Dublin.
Mr Ahern visited the East Wall area of the city on Saturday afternoon where he met some of the several hundred residents affected by the deluge from the Royal Canal.
He heard first-hand accounts of how the water swamped unsuspecting householders, reaching heights of over a foot within minutes. He was also shown a home video of the flooding recorded by a local man, Mr Paddy Keating, who filmed from an upstairs window as torrents of water collecting on CIÉ lands in front of his home on Blythe Avenue, burst through a gap in a retaining wall and surged past his door.
Mr Ahern told The Irish Times he was impressed with the co-ordinated response of the local authorities, gardaí, fire brigade, civil defence and other groups. He also responded to calls for compensation for householders facing substantial bills for the clean-up operation and the replacement of destroyed belongings.
Many residents in East Wall, and in the Ringsend and Irishtown areas where the Dodder river spilled up to four feet of water into almost 200 homes, say they do not have house insurance.
"There has been a scheme we have used a few times," said the Taoiseach, referring to assistance offered to people in Clonmel and Gort in previous years. "We will pull that scheme out again on Monday and see how we can operate it for these people."
For a third night last night, Dublin City Council offered emergency accommodation in bed and breakfasts and guesthouses across the city for householders affected by the floods but many still chose to remain at home or with relatives."Most people are reluctant to leave their homes but it's going to be cold and uncomfortable for them if they're waiting for the place to dry out or they've no electricity so we'll keep the offer open," said Mr Frank Lambe, assistant area manager for the south east area which covers Ringsend and Irishtown.