Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am familiar with the N59 and I understand the Deputy's concerns. My colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Kyne, is also very familiar with the case. He speaks to me regularly about it. I have no problem with my officials briefing the committee on the wider issue and on the specific issue of the N59. I agree with the Deputy that we need to put protocols in place.

In terms of flooding, there were complaints that people could not move certain things and some of the stories were that my Department was stopping progress. I immediately appointed designated officers in every single region as a point of call for the local authority in order that the local authority could contact them. I believe, as Deputy Ó Cuív does, that these issues need to be dealt with on the ground with people working together. In terms of the flooding, I said that the priority is people and property first. We have to strike a balance, but I think that, in terms of safety on that road, the project needs to be progressed. I am happy to arrange for my officials to discuss this with the committee.