Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

It has never been fully drawn down. We know this situation will only get worse. The weather forecast is not good. The increased prevalence of flooding in Ireland in recent years has been linked to climate change. There has been an increase in the annual rainfall in northern and western areas, while there have been decreases or small increases in the south and east. The Taoiseach has said we will not meet our emissions targets. This will cost the State €600 million in fines. The risk of flooding is increasing and will continue to increase. Does the Government have a long-term strategy to deal with the risk of flooding and to improve our flood defences? Will the Tánaiste outline that plan? People across the island need to know that our political leaders have a plan to prevent this from happening again.

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