Cormac Devlin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We can come back to this at the OPW's next appearance before the committee to make sure the rules are being adhered to. I understand the complexity of the various elements with which the OPW is dealing.

I also want to focus on flood defences. The witnesses highlighted the fact that 100 schemes are currently being worked on and a total of 55 schemes have been completed to date.

Scheme development takes 48 months on average, the planning process takes 24 months on average and detailed design takes 12 months. To the average person looking on, there is a very extensive period before works are even undertaken. Given the events we have seen around the country, the period is too long. Is there any way to speed up the process? Is that being considered? Obviously, there are well-highlighted pinch points around the country where people really cannot wait for so long.