Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)

I will begin my contribution by expressing my solidarity and support for the many families affected by the recent unprecedented weather conditions which have caused untold damage, particularly along the Shannon basin and catchment area, with torrents of rain wreaking havoc and devastation across wide geographical areas and people's houses being destroyed and so on. We have seen the picture of desolation arising from this natural disaster. I congratulate the many emergency workers and volunteers who continue to work hard to ensure that help is given to those most affected, especially to the elderly and the infirm.

I also congratulate the staff of the local authorities, the members of the Defence Forces, the Civil Defence and community and voluntary organisations. We have seen them at their very best in recent days. They all carry out such work away from the glare of publicity day in, day out in the normal course of their duties. I recognise the Minister has indicated some €10 million will be allocated for humanitarian assistance. I trust this will be delivered quickly to the many people who are suffering. Certainly, people in Athlone require help in this regard. The €2 million allocation of relief is only a start but it would appear to be totally inadequate to deal with the devastation foisted upon farmers throughout the country, including the loss of fodder. It is a start but clearly it will not be enough. The situation is especially severe along the banks of the Shannon in parts of Galway, Clare, Limerick, Athlone, south Westmeath, Leitrim and other areas with severe flooding problems and there is more to come. This financial package will be insufficient.

Although only 25 days of November have gone, one third of average annual rainfall has fallen in these 25 days, an objective measure of the dimension of the problems. Yesterday, I took the opportunity of visiting Athlone, along with Councillor Jim Henson and my brother, Councillor Johnny Penrose. I witnessed the devastation sustained and suffered by the people of Athlone and surrounding areas. More than 60 people have been evacuated from their houses to date and a further 50 or 60 people have suffered from severe flooding as well. One cannot but be moved by the resilience displayed by these people and their families in the most trying and difficult of circumstances. It is possible to see the devastation in such areas as Wolfe Tone Terrace or Parnell Square. Overnight, other areas such as Iona Villas were subjected to flooding and for the people involved it feels like a never-ending cycle. I compliment many of the local representatives who were physically working on the ground, helping people and providing as much assistance as humanly possible.

Some people involved in farming have no insurance and have been unable to get insurance. This is an important matter for the Government and every assistance should be given and rendered to these people to ensure they can get back on their feet.

Although the matter is not directly related, the events of recent days bring to mind the need for a River Shannon catchment authority, to acts as an umbrella for all vested interests and stakeholders. It could be in a position to co-ordinate activities and responses from Lough Allen through to the sea in Limerick. It is time to stop foot-dragging and procrastination and establish a single over-arching authority. I drafted a Bill on 21 January 2000 which I have before me this evening, namely, the River Shannon Authority Bill. It contains 12 sections and several subsections and I am prepared to hand it over again. It is time. The river runs through the Minister's county and he knows it as well as anyone. The main purpose of the Bill is to put a single new authority in place to tackle the problem of flooding, which has dogged the midlands, including Cavan, and parts of the west for many years. The authority would provide a medium to long-term solution to the flooding problems of the River Shannon. As it stands there is no single authority in the Shannon basin to deal with flooding. At the end of the day the response to recurring flooding has been characterised by delay and denial by local authorities and by a host of State and semi-State bodies throughout the years. The work of this authority could significantly reduce flooding and ensure people in these areas are not left without a livelihood if flooding recurs. It could have overall responsibility for the management and improvement of the Shannon catchment.

Under the Bill I drafted almost ten years ago, the authority would be obliged to submit a five year plan to the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government with regard to its proposed activities to improve the river and surrounding areas. This plan should deal with fisheries, navigation, improvement by drainage of lands adjacent to the Shannon, the improvement of water quality and the protection and enhancement of the river environment and of the natural habitat of its bird and fish life.

The Bill would also have enabled a whole range of interests to be represented on the new authority, including representatives from the farming sector, the community, tourism, fisheries and a range of statutory bodies including the Office of Public Works, Bord na Móna, the ESB, Dúchas and the relevant local authorities. The authority would have complete responsibility for directing all public bodies, where relevant, and for the management of the Shannon catchment area including fisheries, navigation, drainage and wildlife habitats.

I believe that Bill offered and continues to offer the best solution to the problems of the communities which have been marooned in their homes by the recent flooding. The Bill could be amended or whatever but it is time to take the bull by the horns and to make progress in this regard. There is no guarantee these problems will never be prevented but we should put in place an authority to bring forward a national early warning system. There are geographical early warning systems in existence but no such national system. Such a body would be a positive contribution but I do not say as much in any political way. I am not interested in politics on this matter as it is too important for the wider interests of the country. The Bill is still an option and the Parliamentary Counsel could improve it. I have no monopoly on divine inspiration in that regard.

We do not know to what the ultimate cost of the clean up will amount. The recent flooding is reason enough for concern. However, the result of that combined with one of the wettest summers in living memory means we face a very significant fodder crisis. Many farmers housed their cattle in mid-October and early November and will not be in a position to let them out until April or, in many western counties, as late as May. I note Deputy Connaughton is in the House and he is aware a seven month winter is not unusual in this context.

The Minister referred to bank credit. I acknowledge he is concerned about this matter and I accept his bona fides at face value; I have no reason to doubt them. However, the availability of bank credit for farmers is of major concern. As the Labour Party spokesperson for enterprise, trade and employment, every banking institution I encounter informs me that life is beautiful. However, when one inquires with a small or medium sized enterprise, a farm, anyone involved in the locality or who comes to a constituency clinic, a totally different picture is presented. I am beginning to wonder if I am too stupid to realise what is going on. No money is filtering down or else it is not filtering down quickly enough. Today one of the chief executives stated that after NAMA there would be a very slow trickle of credit. This is a time when money was never required more, when people will have to buy additional fodder and need money to tide them over the difficult, extenuating, unprecedented and unanticipated circumstances. Such people indicate the availability of credit might happen and if it does it will only be a trickle. However, to use the terrible term, a flood of credit is required at this stage to help out. Sufficient bank credit is very important and of greater urgency now than ever, to help the farming community and small businesses.

The old proverb is that a wet and windy May fills the barn with grain and hay.

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