John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)

I wish to put on record the constant fear of the people of Enniscorthy every time the River Slaney overflows which has happened on a regular basis in recent years. Again last weekend, the River Slaney overflowed and both quays were flooded, causing severe damage to business property and houses. The Minister of State, Deputy Mansergh, visited Enniscorthy last year and announced a new scheme for the town and I ask him to move it on. There is a need for a public meeting between the local authority, the Office of Public Works and the local people to agree on the best way forward. The OPW announced the plan without any consultation or dialogue with the local people and as a result nothing has happened.

I ask the Minister, in conjunction with the Wexford County Manager, Mr. Eddie Breen, to agree a plan for the future. I pay tribute to the great work done by Wexford County Council and Enniscorthy Town Council last weekend. There is a serious need to progress with the plan to ensure that people particularly on the island road in Enniscorthy, where many elderly people live, are not barricaded in their houses every time there is a heavy rainfall in the south east. This is not good enough. I ask the Minister to look at the issue of compensation for shopkeepers and those whose premises were severely damaged last weekend.

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