Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)

In view of the recent flooding emergency and the specific role of the Department of the Taoiseach with regard to the Office of Public Works, is legislation being planned to give more power and funding to the OPW to build flood protections, particularly in areas such as Gort, Cork and Clonmel? These areas have had other major flooding events but the problem was never addressed. In view of the failure of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to carry out its remit, legislation should be introduced to give the OPW the power to deal with this issue, which has been in the news of late because of the disaster that has struck those areas.

I am also seeking information on other legislation because when Deputies ask questions on the Order of Business, we do not always receive a full answer. Given the Taoiseach's role in the Cabinet sub-committee on legislation, he may be able to provide us with some information. Is legislation planned to establish an independent electoral commission to take over the running of elections and the drawing of constituency boundaries and to develop a new electoral system for the Seanad?

The following is another area in which legislation is desired, but perhaps the Taoiseach has moved forward in this regard. Some of his Cabinet colleagues seem to be in favour of a more open and transparent system of appointments to public bodies. Is that legislation forthcoming?

The final matter I want to ask the Taoiseach about today is the proposal which his Government colleagues in the Green Party have suggested in the past. Is there legislation for a new system of financing local government? Hopefully, the Taoiseach will be able to address some of those matters.

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