Martin Mansergh (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)

I believe that the consultants will be appointed in the next couple of months. It is a vital priority. The events of the last five days mean that we will have to reassess everything we do in two ways - first, to see what matters we can accelerate and, second, to see what gaps are appearing in the system and which we have not fully taken account of. What has happened is by far the worst flooding incident in the country that I can remember, so we must act quickly. In fairness, it should be mentioned that public representatives - including Deputies and Senators, as well as town and county councillors - are among those who have rendered assistance throughout the country.

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