Michael Noonan (Limerick East, Fine Gael)

I sympathise with my constituents in Shannon Banks, Castleconnell and Montpelier who had their homes and lands flooded. I also sympathise with those who will not sleep tonight, especially in Westbury, as the Shannon continues to rise. It is a very serious issue.

The ESB controls the level of the water in the Shannon from Parteen to Limerick city and beyond. The protocols that govern its behaviour must be re-examined with regard to how it co-ordinates with the local authorities and particularly how it communicates with local residents. The interchange of information with local authorities is good, but the information does not always reach the residents in sufficient time to allay their fears or allow them to make arrangements to move out. Perhaps the Minister of State, Deputy Martin Mansergh, would restore the programmes that existed in the past for carrying out small works on rivers, such as removing fallen trees, cutting overhanging branches which frequently impede the flow of water by 30% to 35%, taking the silt from river beds, repairing broken levees, clearing culverts and the other small works that were habitually carried out 30 and 40 years ago but which do not appear to be carried out anymore. That has a huge effect.

Finally, I hope that whoever administers the financial package will do it equitably in all areas and among all victims. This did not always happen in the past. It must be seen to be fair, whatever the smallness or largesse of the package.

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