President Michael D Higgins has said that Government policy on flood defences must be improved.
Speaking to reporters in Rome on the margins of the World Food Forum, he said his heart went out to those affected.
"I think it is very important to realise from a Government policy point of view and no doubt Government is considering this, whatever protections they had were insufficient."
A spokesperson for the President later clarified that Mr Higgins was not criticising Government policy but was saying the flood defences themselves were insufficient.
"We are now in circumstances where the consequences of climate change are ones that are going to be visited on us again and again."
He said those affected would need immediate assistance and more over time.
"People who spent all of their lives looking after their house and looking after their neighbours - and they are just devastated."
The President also defended his right to speak candidly on many issues saying he has a responsibility and he must reflect the will of the people.
Speaking to reporters in Rome on the margins of the World Food Forum, Mr Higgins said that those who believed he should not speak out were entitled to their opinion but he said he believed there was very few of them.
He said that was an extreme view and not the view of the Taoiseach or Tánaiste.
"I have been elected as President of Ireland twice. It's a deep honour, a deep privilege and a great responsibility. Not just that I have a responsibility - I am reflecting the will of the people."
He said he was not only expressing his own opinions but also those of people who write to him about development, peace and global poverty.
"In a couple of years time, people will be able to resolve this issue themselves in relation as to whether they want a silent person, a puppet or whether they want a president."
He repeated his criticism of the response of the European Union to the escalating conflict in the Middle East, saying their messages had changed, are changing and are not consistent.
Earlier this week, President Higgins strongly criticised the head of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen for comments on the Middle East conflict which she made on a visit to Israel.
