John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I will be very parochial today and refer to a flood relief scheme in Callan, County Kilkenny. It has been carried out, funded by the OPW through the county council, but the appropriate permissions were not given by the National Parks and Wildlife Service and others for a particular section of the work in time for all of the work to be completed. The part that could be completed is completed but the silting up of the river is having an impact and is now rising over the non-return valves. Is there a possibility that either the Office of Public Works or the council will inspect it? Could funding be provided for the part that was not completed? It is causing serious problems with the eye of the bridges and the channel itself. There is a huge overgrowth now which is of concern to those who live in Callan. It is also a problem for the scheme.

The silt is now having a negative impact on the infrastructure that has been put in by the scheme. What happens in such a case? How quickly would it take the OPW to sanction the work that is required or is that the way the Minister of State would have to go with it?