Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)

I refer to the correspondence dated 27 October which was sent on the Minister's behalf to the joint committee. This correspondence stated that he was unavailable to meet the committee to discuss its report and recommendations because he was completing his report which was due on 1 November. The correspondence indicated that he expected to be in a position to respond to the committee's invitation once his report was completed. He has now confirmed to the House that he failed to meet his 1 November deadline and more than one year after the severe weather events of 18 and 19 November 2009, he still has not completed the report.

He indicated in the letters he sent to local authorities that some progress has been made on the issue. Can he advise the House when his report will be complete? Given that the outlines of the report have been set out, can he tell us when he will meet the joint committee to discuss its recommendations?

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