Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Yes. I am aware of what has happened to these people. Ultimately, however, it comes down to finding solutions we can implement. It is about ensuring that what we do does not put this longer term goal at risk. I understand people's frustrations, but I ask them to stick with us so we can work on this problem by adopting a whole-of-government approach involving the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste, me in the OPW, our officials, who are working night and day, and staff from the NPWS and Roscommon County Council. No stone is being left unturned. We must do this work, though, in a way that is systematic and that gets us a result for the people living in the area around Lough Funshinagh. This is the commitment I give here. It comes down to looking at this issue in a very structured way and we are doing this.

I keep coming back to this point. The people there have dealt with this flooding for many years. It has been utterly acute this year. Looking at the long-range forecasts, even higher levels of flooding are predicted for next year. We must get a result to address this issue and we are working on it. I thank the people living around Lough Funshinagh. I also thank the public representatives from the area, including Senators Dolan and Murphy.My real abiding objective is to bring the farming community and wider community at Lough Funshinagh news of a solution that can be taken as soon as possible. That is my commitment. It is what I said I was the day I visited Lough Funshinagh and it has not changed. We are working on that intensively with all stakeholders, including the Attorney General's office.