Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

On the face of it, that sounds like a logical proposal, but I understand a previous Oireachtas committee came to a different conclusion. Each of the agencies involved, whether it be the OPW, the local authorities, the fisheries board or the ESB, has a different statutory function. What is needed is proper co-ordination, rather than have somebody call all the shots. As we saw in Cork, for example, sometimes a decision by one agency can have a detrimental effect on the risk of flooding. Charging one agency to make directions is probably not what is required. I am open to taking a view on that issue, but it would not fall to me to make the decision.

Better co-ordination is required and something I have asked the OPW to ensure. Undertaking proper mapping through the CFRAM study will give us an important understanding of where the pressure points will be in the future, as well as mapping the effects of climate change into the future. There will be resource implications, but, please God, I will be in a position to allocate the resources required and will not have my feet up by then.

See this speech in context