Michael Kennedy (Dublin North, Fianna Fail)

I wish to make a few brief points. The ambiguity in respect of the cleaning of footpaths outside people's homes and retail premises in commercial centres needs to be clarified. I suggest that if laws need to be changed the onus and responsibility in this regard must be on local authorities and that this should be done now. It was ridiculous that during the past few weeks people were afraid to clear ice and snow from their footpaths and business premises. Broadly speaking, retailers were looking out at the snow when they could have been doing something constructive such as clearing the paths. The law in this regard needs to be clarified and, if necessary, changed to ensure there is no ambiguity in this area.

As regards roads in estates which have not been taken in charge, again county councils have up to now stated these are not their responsibility and, as such, they are not required to do anything about them. Clearly, this issue also needs to be clarified to ensure local authorities have responsibility during extreme weather conditions such as we experienced in recent weeks for gritting roads which meet roundabouts and so on. On flooding, I remind the House of a proposal some years ago which emanated from a politician in Dublin in regard to the taking of water from the River Shannon and piping it to Dublin. While this proposal was frowned upon at the time and considered to be robbery of water from people in the west and mid-west and so on, given current circumstances in terms of the Shannon frequently flooding and the water shortage in Dublin it is now realistic to re-examine this it. The Shannon, when it floods, could be drained in a proper fashion thus providing water for the greater Dublin region during times of water shortage. While this proposal may sound a little strange it is worthy of realistic consideration at this time. I am certain some of my colleagues will be against such a proposal. However, when one considers the severe flooding caused this year by the River Shannon and its tributaries, it is realistic to suggest that this water be piped to Dublin where it is needed.

It is regrettable that Fine Gael omitted in its motion to commend the voluntary organisations and many volunteers throughout the country who did fantastic work on behalf of their fellow citizens.

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