Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)

In recent days I visited a number of areas throughout my constituency that were directly affected by the severe flooding damage. I saw the devastation caused to householders and businesses that have seen their properties damaged. I wish record my acknowledgement of the tremendous work that has been done by local authority staff, the Garda Síochána, the Army, the emergency services and sub-aqua clubs. I acknowledge also the volunteers who offered to assist with the recovery measures.

Concerning the €10 million EU hardship fund, I hope it will be used to provide for people who do not have adequate insurance cover and that no geographic restriction will be put on it as was put on the last fund tabled in this House. There is also a need to look at the management of the waters in both the Shannon and Suck valleys because little has been done to maintain the channels or rivers in that catchment area in recent years, including the actual Shannon and Suck rivers. Due to this lack of maintenance they do not have the capacity to cater for increased rainfall.

Will the Minister and the Department consider the proposal put to him and his officials in July 2005 to develop a national wetlands park in the north midlands with a capacity of 18,000 acres that could be flooded up to 4.5 metres and which could provide some protection for the towns of Carrick-on-Shannon and Athlone and provide some relief in this area? It is appalling that the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government is not prepared to provide funding in respect of augmentation in the case of the Ballinasloe and the Four Roads Mount Talbot water supplies. In the past, Roscommon Country Council sought to connect these water supplies with the town of Athlone but was refused the funding by the Department. There is access to a clean supply of ground water but it has been ignored by the Department throughout the country and it has failed to provide the necessary augmentation. Funding must be provided to alleviate the problems of rising flooding on the roads as well.

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