John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)

Regarding the last question, as Deputy Hogan knows, I have already received responses from local authorities. Deputy Hogan referred to this being a first test, but the flooding also presented a test. We reacted immediately. I was in a helicopter the very next day and visited Cork, Ennis and Ballinasloe. On every occasion I met with the managers. It was clear to see that at local level the co-ordination plans were working very well. On each occasion I met the emergency services. I am glad Deputy Hogan praised their efforts because they are fully deserving of praise. Their task was monumental and they went about it with great civic spirit. The communities also deserve praise for the way they dealt with it.

Deputy Ciarán Lynch may be interested in the fact that I met with two managers from Cork, Cork city and County Cork, and assured them that this Department would not be found wanting when it came to dealing with additional costs. We met with County Galway managers in Ballinasloe and I assured them of my support. Last December, I recouped savings in the Department and over €16 million was paid out to 19 local authorities for exceptional costs arising from the floods in November. The frost and severe weather we experienced recently has just come to an end and we are still considering the damage in a range of areas. We have heard much on potholes in roads recently but that relates to a different Department. In respect of water infrastructure, I will examine proposals from local authorities.

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