Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

The Office of Public Works is the lead agency for dealing with flooding problems. It has had much success with considerable investment, approximately €150 million over the past several years, in flood relief projects.

Regarding what further matters need to be examined as to what happened in Cork in November, as Deputy Coveney said, consideration is being given by the Oireachtas environment committee to various reports and the internal reports from the Cork local authorities. There is also a Lee Valley catchment area review to be done by the Office of Public Works to see what occurred in November. While I am not as familiar with the events as the Cork Deputies would be, the November floods there were regarded as an unusual event to have taken place. However, in no way should that minimise the reality for the people on the ground as a result of what happened.

Lessons will be sought to be learned from the events. As to whether any further investigation is warranted, we should await the outcome of the ongoing considerations. A similar question addressed to the line Minister would provide a more accurate and detailed response to this as I do not have the information requested before me.

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