Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

In recent days, many people from communities I represent in Castlefinn and Ballybofey have contacted me, as well as some of our councillors in Inishowen, including Mr. Jack Murray, and Senator Pádraig Mac Lochlainn. They have shared pictures of the heavy rainfall over the past 48 hours. Those pictures are scary and I will share some of them with the Minister of State later. He knows Castlefinn and Ballybofey well because he accompanied me to meet residents there previously. It is frightening to see the level of water lying around those premises and businesses, especially since that was not a flooding event.

Those communities suffered two "once in 100 year" events within a few weeks some years ago. It is part of the programme and on the priority list, along with Burnfoot, Glenties, Downings, Kerrykeel and Lifford. There is, naturally, concern as to when this work is going to happen. The Minister of State referred to the meeting we had with the residents and business groups from Ballybofey. That area is not on the priority list but funding has been granted. Is there any update on the advancement of that project? Anything the Minister of State can tell us will help alleviate the concerns of people in those communities. I refer to these projects being on track and the Department taking a hands-on approach.