Mr. Maurice Buckley:

The cost-benefit analysis of the flood risk schemes - we started this programme in towns and villages that needed to work most - tended to have a very high benefit to cost ratio. Even in the few situations where cost has been higher than initially expected, the cost-benefit is still favourable. Even at that, we take a very conservative approach to measuring the benefit. There are many wider societal benefits. I am sure the Deputy knows people who have been caught in flooded properties. It is a horrendous situation that one cannot really measure in financial terms alone.