Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)

On the last point, more than €210 million has been spent over an eight-year period on capital works on flood defences. We are coming from a poor position in comparison to other European countries that have much more sophisticated funding mechanisms in place for many years. Despite the adjustments in recent years this is one area where we have managed to date to ring-fence the budget. This year €40 million will be spent plus a carry-over of €5 million from last year. A significant proportion of that is continuing. Needless to say all Departments are under pressure on the capital side but as far as I am concerned this is a priority area. We know that these events are happening with greater frequency due to climate change. We have a responsibility to catch up in comparison with other countries which, historically, have invested in flood defences. That is my intention as Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works, OPW.

The previous Government examined the possibility of a State insurance system for families that could not obtain insurance from other sources and turned it down because of the potential liability. I give an assurance to the Deputy to examine the issue again to see if progress could be made. I have met many communities across the country, from Dublin to the west, the south and the north. I am aware of the enormous psychological damage that it causes in communities when one's house is flooded and one feels a sense of destitution. We have a responsibility centrally and locally to get things right.

Simple things could be done. I was horrified by the lack of communication outlined by Deputy Finian McGrath. I spoke to officials from across Dublin last night from 8 p.m. until 12 midnight about what was happening. I was texting them, ringing them and finding out what was happening through social media. Some local authorities were better than others. It is unacceptable that public representatives would not receive a text message or be otherwise informed of what was happening in their community. I will raise the issue with Dublin City Council. We must improve. Basic things do not cost much money. I refer to things to do with cop-on such as communication through text messages about issues on which Deputies must be informed because invariably they are deluged with calls from constituents. That issue must be sorted out.

Deputy Ó Snodaigh made a sensible suggestion that I will consider further. He is correct about culverts. In recent years because of the level of development in the city many small rivers and tributaries have been put underground. The question arises of whether the culverts are deep enough given the severity of weather events. OPW engineers have informed me that it is not just a question of the depth of the culverts, it is the angle at which they are built and whether the angle allows the flow to get out into the river as one would expect. We must liaise with local authorities on the issue. I will follow it up.

My understanding about the situation in Dundrum is that it is due to an underground river. Deputy Olivia Mitchell is seated behind me. The river was put underground to facilitate the development. We all saw last night on YouTube and elsewhere the enormous damage that was caused within seconds because a culvert burst. Questions arise in that regard which I will follow up. It is sensible that we would examine the matter of gullies as well, which is also a matter for local authorities. Keeping them clear is particularly difficult at this time of year with falling leaves leading to blockages in the system which exacerbated the situation.

I accept what Deputy Humphreys said about the necessity for much greater responsibility and emergency planning from all and sundry. We must review what has happened and learn lessons from it. My colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Hogan, who has responsibility for this area is leading the review. We must work together to find a better way to ensure that our response to crises such as this represents the best of joined-up Government locally and nationally.

I will send a transcript of the debate to the agencies with responsibility for the issue and seek an immediate reply on the substantive points raised by Deputies for which I or my colleague may not have responsibility.

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