John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I do not know whether one can cut down any further on two and a half minutes of speaking time. In any event, I welcome the opportunity to make a number of points.

The local authority in Mayo, voluntary and State agencies and volunteers did tremendous work to mitigate the effects of the problems to which the recent storms have given rise. It must be recognised, however, that such problems exist. Untold damage has been done to the Mayo coastline, which runs from Killary Harbour to Ballina to Belmullet past Achill Island through Louisburgh and Westport and onwards. I am aware, from speaking to the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Hayes, and the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Hogan, that a co-ordinated, interdepartmental approach is being taken in respect of this matter. Sometimes, however, such approaches do not have the desired impact on the ground because one may find local authority staff cleaning up beaches that are adjacent to lands where flood alleviation is required. If one inquires about the matter, one is informed that the necessary alleviation is someone else's responsibility. We must emphasise the need for flexibility and a one-stop-shop approach must be adopted at local level. If the latter does not happen, all kinds of difficulties will arise.

Reference was made to farming. I was at a meeting on Monday night at which over 150 farmers were present. Huge damage has been done to their land. Fences have been destroyed and boulders and other debris have been deposited on their farms. Local improvement scheme, LIS, roads, to the repair of which farmers contributed, have been wiped off the map and they cannot gain access to parts of their properties. I have raised this matter with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Coveney, particularly in the context of the implications for farm inspections. I know of one farmer in a coastal area whose property was inspected in the past week. I am of the view that the carrying out of inspections in the areas to which I refer should cease. I accept that there is goodwill in respect of this matter but it must be made manifest in order to ease the impact of the trauma experienced by the people who live in coastal areas.

There is a need for funding to be provided. As other speakers indicated, fishermen must be compensated for the loss of nets, lobster pots and other gear. We should leverage whatever funding is available at European level in order to address this matter. I accept that a great deal of work is going on behind the scenes but there is a need to get the message across to those who live in coastal areas that help will be forthcoming.

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