Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I did not suggest that there was an implied criticism by the Deputy in respect of any of the efforts being made. I just made the point that perhaps the agreement, subject to ratification, could form the basis upon which a greater degree of redeployment will be possible. I refer to the flexibility that will be needed, quite apart from the obvious flexibility in emergency situations to which I have already referred. The structural changes that could be envisaged as a result of a ratification of the agreements reached would greatly assist in covering particular service needs to which the Deputy would refer under existing arrangements.

On the question of salt supplies, local authorities generally maintain ten days' supply for gritting the priority roads and in most years such a stock is more than adequate. It will be necessary for the Department of Transport and local authorities to consider the costs and benefits of maintaining a supply to sustain gritting work for a longer period. Extra stocks of salt and the necessary storage facilities would cost extra and this must be measured against anticipated requirements.

The question of harnessing community effort by, for example, local authorities supplying salt to local communities and business partners can be examined. Another area that will be considered is the question of householders and businesses in urban areas clearing snow and ice from footpaths outside their premises without incurring a legal liability which might expose them to claims for negligence. The Department of Transport has a review group looking at all of these matters, and covering both the flooding and the cold weather period.

On the question of water services and water conservation, there is a number of issues that arise from which lessons can obviously be learnt during this period of which we speak. Much of the problem during the cold weather arose from people letting water run continuously from fear of pipes freezing. That is not an acceptable practice. Freezing can be avoided by good insulation of pipes. There is much work that can and should be done. The emphasis on energy efficiency and savings in that area using existing schemes, some of which are directed to local authority estates, would all give an opportunity for county councils to think creatively about how they can ensure that some of these practical problems are avoided in the future.

See this speech in context