Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)

My understanding is that there is a protocol in place between Waterways Ireland and the ESB. However, we need to quickly establish the veracity of that protocol. The view locally is that it has not worked. I have no difficulty with the OPW being part and parcel of that protocol, if necessary. This is not rocket science. It should be the case that farmers in the Callows area are alerted by text from the public authorities, be they local authorities, the ESB, Waterways Ireland or the OPW, to severe oncoming weather. However, that has not happened. As far as I am aware it has happened in places such as Gort, where a protocol was put in place between the OPW and Galway County Council. If it can be done in Gort it can be done in respect of the Callows. There is no reason this cannot be done through the social media. I agree with the Deputy that it is important that protocol is put in place and that it is robust in terms of getting information to farmers, in particular when severe weather is forecast. I will take up that matter with the two other agencies involved.

On compensation, I do not want to give hope to the Deputy that a compensation package could be put in place tomorrow. It would be dishonest of me to do that. However, I will take up the matter with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Deputy Cowen mentioned that a similar package was put in place two years ago. I will investigate the extent of that package. I acknowledge the severe economic difficulties which faces farmers along the Callows area as a result of this flooding. While as stated by the Deputy this is a historic problem, the situation has worsened as a result of changing weather patterns in this country and climate change. I will engage with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine on the potential of putting in place a compensation package. In undertaking to engage with the Minister, I do not wish to give the Deputy false hope that a compensation will be put in place tomorrow. It would be dishonest of me to do so.

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