Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I know the bridge because a good friend of mine, the Deputy's former múinteoir bunscoile, is former Deputy Dinny McGinley. I have crossed over that bridge many a time and I know the bridge and the river. The Deputy is right about the county councils. I have appealed to them, as my predecessor did, in relation to minor works applications for local authorities. I have met the county managers. One of the things we are doing is revising the cost benefit analyses for all flood mitigation measures. I have asked the Chairman and my officials about the cost-benefit analysis metrics that can be attached to local authorities applying for money to carry out works. It cannot all just be about economic metrics. Local authorities do not have a bean at the moment so if moneys are available from the OPW, whether it is for bank mitigations or for bridges, we should try to help and the cost-benefit analysis metrics should be revised. I will caution on one matter, however. A bridge being blocked by a bush or a tree is my definition and the Deputy's definition of a flood. It is another Deputy's definition of a habitat and that is a big problem.