Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

The works to which I refer are ongoing and will become an increasing feature of the overall work of the OPW in the future. As matters stand, there will be a need for an investment of €50 million per annum and that is before any review takes place in respect of recent events. There will be a need to identify and prioritise. I am acutely aware that there are certain parts of the country where flooding is a problem on every occasion it rains heavily. I am acutely aware of the problems posed perennially by flooding of the River Shannon. This year, those problems will be far worse because-----

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