John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)

The Deputy is correct. I have stated unequivocally that we missed the 1 November deadline. Despite the severe work pressures my Department faces, I hope we can complete the report in the next number of weeks. Once the report is completed I will have no difficulty meeting the joint committee, which I have already met on several occasions. I have discussed the issue with individual Deputies and I am happy to discuss it further.

However, as I have previously pointed out to the joint committee, the most important aspect of the severe weather events was that the primary routes were kept clear for the most part. I am referring here to the snow and ice that affected the roads during cold snap as well as to the flooding which was the Deputy's main concern. In regard to the latter issue, I travelled to Cork almost immediately to meet the city and county managers and discuss their requirements. The money they needed was forthcoming almost immediately.

I remind Deputies that while I have a specific role in flooding matters, the Minister of State at the Department of Finance, Deputy Mansergh, has primary responsibility. Subsequent to the publication of my report, we will have to decide who is the most appropriate person to deal with these matters. I am happy to deal with matters that are of concern to the joint committee and I will answer as fully as I can the questions that arise.

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