Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I do not want to pass the buck as I know it is an important issue. I take the points made by the Deputy. The point on the re-enactment of the Battle of Clontarf is realistic - we do not want Brudair to take out poor old Brian Boru again on this occasion.

In response to concerns by residents and businesspeople in recent weeks, Dublin City Council made a presentation at a special meeting of councillors of the north-central area committee last week. It was at this point that a representative of the OPW was present in laying out why this was agreed and placed at the level determined. If Dublin City Council, following consultations with local interests and its own consultants, decides to send in an alternative in respect of flood arrangements to protect the residents of lower level houses in Clontarf, the OPW will be happy to consider those. It may be that, somewhere between 1.2 m and 1.75 m, a compromise could be reached where people can still see the bay and the sea while their houses can be protected.

Nobody wants to see the pictures we saw in Dublin several years ago where people with wellingtons were standing in flooded streets and all of that.

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