Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I can assure the Deputy 100% that any of the schemes I announced will get the green light to go ahead. There will be no delays under my watch. Planning issues can be unforeseen. I stressed this in the Dáil in recent days. Having announced all the schemes, I had hoped to have machines in the ground in Cork last summer, but there has been a delay. The same applies in Ennis south. Thankfully we will sign the Ennis south contract next week. Given that type of delay, I believe I can absorb the €3 million loss.

As the Chairman will know, in his constituency I announced further schemes under tranche 2 which had not been in the first allocation. The Deputy and other Deputies from his neck of the woods were in my office when I announced the second one. I am in the advanced stage of announcing schemes and getting them up and running. We try to do these in a timely fashion but there can be delays in the planning process. That is where I believe I can deliver on the schemes. I am committed to ensuring that no woman, man or child need fear that I will not get on with the job that I am proposing. My record speaks for itself. When we went into government, we were spending €43 million on flood relief schemes and we are now spending €73 million. It is a major increase in a year. I am committed to ensuring that those schemes will be delivered.