James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)

I thank my colleagues, Deputy Enda Kenny and Deputy Phil Hogan, for forcing this important debate. I am disappointed and angry that the Taoiseach and the Green Party did not see fit to recall the Dáil over the weekend to deal with this issue. I sympathise with the people throughout the country whose farms, homes and businesses have been flooded.

My constituents are victims of the Government's failure to deal effectively with the management of the River Shannon. I have advocated better management of the River Shannon in both this House and the Seanad and have outlined my proposals for the establishment of a River Shannon authority. Such legislation is essential for the protection of those who live in proximity to the river, which divides the east from the west of the country. It is urgent that a River Shannon authority be established by statute. Such an authority was promised by some Members of the House as long ago as 1981, but it has not happened.

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