Martin Mansergh (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)

The immediate matter raised by Deputy Burke relates to income tax and corporation tax in sections of the Bill which were dealt with this morning. However, I will convey the Deputy's comments to the Minister. I thank him for his camaraderie in the Seanad and the Dáil. I deeply appreciate his recognition of the work we are doing on flood relief in Galway and which will continue under the next Government. More than 62 minor relief works were carried out in 2010 in south and east Galway, and major schemes, including those in Claregalway. We are tidying up the Ballinasloe area. Intensive discussions are being carried on with the insurance industry to ensure that they recognise where works are being done that this alters the risk factor. A very small handful of properties cannot be economically managed by works and practically all of them are in the Deputy's part of County Galway. The Minister, Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív and myself are trying to address this with the very small number of people involved.

I wish Deputy Burke the very best in the years ahead and I thank him for his long public service.

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