DUBLIN, Ireland: The government cannot wave a magic wand and deliver flood relief schemes out of thin air, Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said on his visit to affected homes and businesses in Co Wexford.

Martin was meeting residents of Island Road, Enniscorthy, an area that was severely hit by flooding in recent weeks after the River Slaney burst its banks during Storm Chandra.

He, however, told reporters that the Government would undertake several short-term measures to alleviate the impact of flood damage.

Martin said it was "a soul-destroying experience to have your house flooded or your business flooded, and there has been a pattern here over many decades of flooding at this location".

He said the government's objective was to first provide humanitarian support to families and to support affected businesses.

He also said the Office of Public Works (OPW) would work with the local council to try to protect the houses and the wider area. Some temporary steps could be taken first to give protection and reassurance.

These short-term actions would later be followed by larger, complete flood-defence projects that are complex but will be initiated by the government.

Over the weekend, Public Expenditure Minister Jack Chambers admitted that flood relief projects in Ireland have been moving "too slowly."

When asked if the government could speed up these projects, Martin said they are very detailed and complex and cannot be completed instantly. He said it would be wrong to suggest they could be fixed with a "magic wand."

However, he added that the government can pursue temporary solutions while working to reduce delays.

Met Éireann issued yellow rain warnings for the counties of Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford, Cork, and Waterford. The agency warned that more heavy rain on already wet ground, along with high river levels and high tides, could cause local flooding and make travel difficult.

In a weather advisory, Met Éireann said that periods of heavy, steady rain are expected to continue through the week beginning February 2, especially in southern and eastern coastal areas. Because the ground is already soaked and rivers and tides are high, more flooding is likely in rivers and coastal regions.