Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)

I am happy that money has been put aside. I perfectly understand that dealing with what happened in October crosses many Departments. However, since the initial response was made on the night by Dublin City Council, it has taken a while to get things in place. I know about the concerns of people living along the Camac, that the only things between them and rising water in the next couple of weeks are sandbags. I hope the Minister of State's Department or Dublin City Council will consider providing for an emergency structure, for example, steel plates to provide reinforcement. On Lady's Lane, many people have begun to clear out their homes to undertake remedial works to try to get back to live in them in basic conditions; many are living with their families, sleeping on settees and so on. This is not an adequate solution to their problems.

Many apartment blocks were flooded on the night and many people lost cars. I have heard stories that people are still being asked to pay management fees and rent, although in some buildings the electricity has not been switched back on. While that has nothing to do with the Minister of State, I make the point nonetheless. Although I may have to raise this issue with other Departments also, I welcome the response of the Minister of State and hope that when the report is compiled by Dublin City Council, the work will be done quickly for those who want to remain in their homes for the next 100 years, given that the houses on Lady's Lane are 140 years old.

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