James O'Connor (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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It has been 18 weeks. I would appreciate it if that could be expedited. I understand there is a process that has to happen but, obviously, that is frustrating and disappointing.

On the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, this week of all weeks is not the time to be criticising the local authority in my area but something I would ask that needs to happen as a matter of urgency is early warning systems for flood prevention in Ireland. Someone has to take the responsibility here. There will be a battle then around the mitigation of flood risk as to whether it is coastal or whether it relates to river flooding and whether it is the OPW or it is not. What we saw happen this week has done damage that is in the high tens of millions of euro in Midleton alone. In other areas, that damage that has been done to road infrastructure is in the tens of millions of euro.

It is most certainly over €100 million in terms of damage to homes, businesses and road and critical infrastructure in that community. We need to see a proper system put in place for flood warnings in the future. If these events are going to become more common, we are very poorly equipped to deal with them. Unfortunately, it overwhelms local authorities when it does happen. Could Mr. Doyle take this up with his Department and work with others on it?