Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)

That is an unusual arrangement. I was put out of the Chamber once before over a similar arrangement. I understood the Member called for the Adjournment was given five minutes. I will not disagree with the House's wishes this time. I am disappointed the Minister of State at the Department of Finance, Deputy Parlon, who is responsible for the OPW, has not attended the Chamber for the Adjournment.

In October 2004, I contacted the Minister of State concerning the development of a major supermarket near the River Deel at Crossmolina. The OPW had not been notified about it. The developer informed the OPW when contacted that he had planning permission from Mayo County Council. He assured it that he would restore the river to the same state it was in prior to the development. In February 2005, I again contacted the Minister of State about this development and was informed the matter was being taken up with the developer.

In May 2005, the Minister of State informed me the OPW had received correspondence from the developer that all works had been carried out in accordance with the planning permission. In January 2006, I was informed the OPW had not received notification of this development at the planning stage. At this stage, the developer informed the OPW that the development was within planning permission. The OPW then contacted Mayo County Council which stated the development did not comply with planning permission. As part of its comments on the retention application, the OPW has recommended the council to get a hydrological analysis of the alterations to the flood plain.

Did the OPW receive this plan? Did it get the developer to comply with the planning permission? What will it do to prevent future flooding in Crossmolina? It is unbelievable that a development can be built without planning permission and that Mayo County Council did not notify the OPW. This is negligence on the part of the OPW. The OPW must provide the necessary funding to send an inspection team to Crossmolina. It must ensure the developer restores the river to its original state or else he should be prosecuted. This developer has applied to retain what he had. Within six months the council sought further information but he had to withdraw it because the information did not come back. The people of Crossmolina suffered last Sunday because Mayo County Council and the OPW did not do their jobs. The people of Crossmolina must pay their taxes, make a living and look after their homes. They have been let down by the State. The State must put in place a package for those affected.

I wish I had more time to speak and that the Minister of State, Deputy Parlon, was in the Chamber to answer why a developer could disturb the state of a river and neither the local council nor the OPW did anything about it. It is a disgrace. There is flooding across County Mayo yet no one is responsible, neither the OPW nor Mayo County Council, nor the Moy Development Commission, for drainage work.

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