Michael McNamara (Clare, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I have been surprised and disappointed by some, but not all, of the Opposition contributions to the debate. Clearly to some politics is simply a game. Talk of letting the cat out of the bag at a time of such unprecedented damage to large parts of Clare is, frankly, depressing. I say as much as someone who lives in and cares about Clare as well as being an elected representative. Politics is not simply a meaningless game; it is about choices, sometimes difficult choices, which affect people's lives. I regret that some Opposition politicians have chosen to try to obtain political advantage from the loss and destruction suffered since Christmas.

I welcome the fact that the Government chose to make €70 million available for the repair of storm damage throughout the country on top of the €25 million already made available for humanitarian relief. People in Kilbaha and throughout Clare are glad that those moneys have been made available. Some moneys have been specifically earmarked for repairs and essential works may start next week. Will Clare County Council receive the €35 million sought of the €70 million pledged? Clearly not. Choices will have to be made by democratically elected local representatives, but that is what they were elected to do.

People should be aware that choices were made from 1992 onwards. I am referring to choices to ignore the risk posed by coastal erosion. It was not as if that risk was not known about. That risk was identified in the Coastal Zone Management - A Case for Action report, published by Eolas on behalf of the County and City Engineers Association. The report has a list of areas depressingly similar to the list in respect of which works will have to be carried out which was submitted by Clary County Council. It includes exactly the same areas. The report refers to Bishop's Quarter, and the need to protect sand dunes there; Clohahinchy, and the need to build a sea wall and put in rock armour; Flaggy Shore and Kilbaha, where sea walls are required; and Kilcredan, where repair to the sea wall is necessary.

All these works were listed but they were ignored at a time of unprecedented wealth in the State. Perhaps the most depressing aspect of this is that the sum of all the emergency works required in County Clare was IR£14,000, or €17,500.

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