Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Some of us in the west come from marginal land and have dealt with water and improving our lands our whole lives. That means trying to get water away to grow grass. As such, we may have some idea of how to shift water. I note that Holland is below sea level and is not drowned out of it at the moment. Reference has been made to nature. We grew up with nature in those areas and looked after it. However, the so-called experts came in and told us how to live our lives. The fact is that nature has now been drowned out of it, which is completely wrong and should not have happened as a result of what has gone on with bureaucracy in this country.

I did not say that dredging the rivers would solve every problem. I understand there are some areas which are low lying. However, in most areas, it would solve the problem. The Tánaiste did not address the point about council workers. I point out to her that putting cuttings on the roads would have got rid of a great deal of water. I have seen areas where works carried out in 2009 to install pipes to bring water from A to B have worked. Sadly, there are too many bodies at the moment which are interfering and it is a problem. The people of the land know how to move water. That is the reality. The Tánaiste referred to consultation. The people around Athlone would prefer if there was less water in the area. They are able to farm their land and would be supported in doing so, but the Tánaiste should not patronise them by saying they would much rather be at tourism or whatever. They are well capable of running their lives, but their lives are being taken away because their houses, farms and sheds are flooded.

If we do not decide to address the problem, we will be in trouble as a country. If we do not stand up to what is happening, the west will become a theme park with rules and regulations coming in from Europe. A person should be allowed to live in his or her house without being drowned out of it.

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