Martin Mansergh (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)

That is correct. I express my own deep sympathy to all those who have been affected by the devastating flooding of recent days. Having visited a number of the worst-hit locations in Galway, Clare and Tipperary, I have seen at first hand some of the damage and hardship wreaked. The emotional impact on individuals and their health can be devastating. The flooding has impacted on homes, commercial premises and infrastructure. It has forced people from their houses and temporarily isolated and desolated whole communities. It will recede more quickly from some areas than others.

The impact of the flooding would have been even more severe had it not been for the tremendous efforts of emergency teams, which have worked tirelessly. Thanks to them, so far no lives have been lost. All of us would warmly thank all those involved. We have witnessed a co-ordinated and dedicated response from all the emergency services, including local authorities, the Defence Forces, civil defence, the Garda and local volunteers. OPW engineering staff have provided technical and additional material backup. The media have also been an invaluable source of communication. The response has been a magnificent combined effort, and I also welcome the unions' decision to exempt from today's action those providing emergency services in the worst affected areas. The OPW's regional offices in Limerick and Headford remained open today.

Recent flooding has been caused by record bad weather. Many areas hit have not experienced this scale of flooding in living memory. There is a growing realisation that such severe weather events are, if anything, likely to increase in frequency and intensity in coming years. Proper and timely warnings are vital.

Flood forecasting and warnings can reduce the damage but of themselves will not prevent flooding. By providing adequate warning of an impending flood, residents and local authorities can take action to reduce the impact, such as moving valuables, erecting protection measures, including demountables, distributing sand bags, and closing off at-risk areas to prevent vehicle damage or risk to life.

The effectiveness of an early warning system depends on many factors, including the reliability of rainfall and flood forecasts, the warning time achievable, the effectiveness and reliability of warning dissemination systems to the public, the awareness and preparedness of the affected population and the preparedness of the emergency response services. A response plan must have been previously developed, tested and rehearsed. The OPW will shortly go to tender for consultants to carry out a strategic review to assess operational structures, costs and benefits of a national flood warning system.

In late 2004, the Government decided that future flood management policy in Ireland would "minimise the national level of exposure to flood damage through the identification and management of existing, and particularly potential, flood risks in an integrated, proactive and river basin-based manner". Since 1 January this year, the OPW has had extended to it responsibility for management of coastal erosion and coastal flood risk.

As an interim measure, a flood hazard mapswebsite, www.floodmaps.ie, was created. This website carries valuable historical data which will be useful for planners as well as the public. We also have another website, www.flooding.ie, which gives practical help and advice to homes and businesses that have flooded or are at risk of flooding. It contains detailed information on how to prepare for flooding, minimise effects, and safety advice in the event of flooding.

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