Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I want to assure him, his Department and his officials, as Deputy O'Mahony will confirm, that I was at a very angry meeting in Hollymount a number of weeks ago. The only reason that they held off on coming up and taking over the Minister of State's offices and the offices of the National Parks and Wildlife Service is they are waiting for this meeting to take place between the OPW and the National Parks and Wildlife Service.

The OPW, in fairness, has drawn up a plan, which I have seen. They are not happy with the second report but they are prepared to go ahead with it. The funding is in place, and we are now waiting for clearance from the National Parks and Wildlife Service.

I want the Minister of State to understand this. There is a family in that area whose house has been flooded. The water destroyed their home, and it nearly happened again in November and December last when there were serious floods in this country. People in the cities may not realise, even though they themselves had a bit of flooding. We heard all about the flooding as soon as it occurred in Dublin. We heard about a little drink of water in some of the gardens. However, these people's homes were destroyed. Their lands were destroyed.

I ask the Minister of State to confirm to me tonight that he will direct the National Parks and Wildlife Service tomorrow to have that meeting next week. If he does that, at least we can move the process on. I hope at that meeting, when it takes place, the National Parks and Wildlife Service and the OPW, between them, can agree a proper channel to go and we can get these works done. The money is in place and we want the work done.

See this speech in context