Martin Mansergh (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)

The Office of Public Works is not responsible for water management. We have a co-ordinating and a lead agency role in respect of flood protection and defence. We must work with other agencies. The floods directive will be transposed into law and my senior colleague will take a final look at the matter this week. Other agencies will be required to co-ordinate with the Office of Public Works in terms of their plans and procedures. After that passes into law, it will not be the case that the Office of Public Works will assume dictatorial powers.

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