Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Fitzmaurice for his comments. As usual, he speaks common sense. His contribution reminds me of a conversation I had in my first year in the Dáil with the former Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works, Mr. Tom Parlon. I asked him to get the dredging machines working and he responded positively to that suggestion. That is the type of attitude we need. There are many rules and regulations in place, some of which have been introduced by the European Union and some introduced at national level. There are also many agencies involved. We need to find a way to cut through the red tape and get the work done. Part of the solution is having staff and resources to achieve this and thankfully we are now in a position to start doing things again because we have money. As I stated the other night, more money will be spent on flood remediation in the next five years than was spent in the past 20 years. The issue is to ensure this money is spent as quickly and effectively as possible and none of it is wasted unnecessarily on red tape.

Many changes are coming on-stream from a European perspective in the sense that we are seeking to reduce regulation. The Deputy is correct, however, that we must also speak with our own voices to try to bring back common sense where we can. However, it should be noted that while the European Union is often blamed, most of the rules introduced by the EU are agreed by national governments. For his reason, we must start to speak up at the right time. We also have to find ways to respond properly when emergencies occur.

I am speaking on behalf of the Minister of State, Deputy Simon Harris, who could not be present as he and the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine are giving a presentation on this matter elsewhere. The Minister of State recognises the importance of leading on the issue of flooding and ensuring we are not always caught up in red tape. The Government is trying to do this as best it can.

In the past six years, we have twice had a level of rainfall that is expected only once every 100 years. This brings urgency to the issue. The Office of Public Works is trying to lead by producing long-term plans to deal with flooding. I understand the Deputy's position in asking what we can do today and tomorrow to try to alleviate the immediate problems, while the long-term plans are being implemented.

I convey my deepest sympathy to all those who have been affected by the recent flooding. In particular, I extend my sympathies to the family and relatives of Mr. Vaughan who died in County Monaghan as a result of the floods. The Minister of State has seen at first hand the devastating impact of flooding on lives and livelihoods in recent days, as all Deputies have either on television or their local areas. The Government assures all those affected that we will continue to do everything we can to assist people in getting their properties and lives back to normal again as soon as possible. A number of funding arrangements have been put in place in recent days to help alleviate some of the difficulties that have been caused. I am aware that the Deputy has welcomed these measures. He also discussed how to prevent more hassle, which is an issue on which the Government is focused.

Storm Desmond, which affected the whole country but particularly the western seaboard, was a severe weather event dominated by record high intensity, short duration rainfall together with storm force gales, with the greatest impact experienced along the western seaboard from County Donegal to County Cork. I reiterate that the type of flooding that one expects one in 100 years are becoming common. It is time to review the basis on which such predictions are made.

I pay tribute to local authority and Defence Forces personnel and all those who are working day and night to protect life and properties and who are also engaged in recovery work.

The national co-ordination group for severe weather is meeting this evening. The group is chaired by the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government. It has been meeting on a daily basis since last Friday. Initially, the group met to assess the forecast and the risk. Since then, it has met to deal with the aftermath of the storm. As Deputy Fitzmaurice is aware, the gauging stations in the Shannon catchment are indicating that the river level is continuing to rise. The public should continue to be aware and take heed of public safety advice.

This week the Government established a fund of €5 million to assist business owners who have suffered from damage to their property but who do not have insurance. The fund is being administered by the Irish Red Cross according to criteria for payment and assessment currently being worked out. This is being done under the auspices of my colleague, the Minister for Defence, Deputy Coveney. We warmly welcome the creation of this fund. An existing humanitarian aid scheme has been in operation for some years. It is operated by the Department of Social Protection and serves to assist households with immediate needs and requirements. The Government is making every effort to get the new fund up and running and to get the money out to the people who need it as quickly as possible. The idea is to try to skip some of the red tape that is delaying the spending of that money.

The Office of Public Works is the lead State body for the co-ordination and implementation of Government policy in the management of flood risk in Ireland. The OPW is also the national authority for the implementation of the EU floods directive and the assessment and management of flood risk. This goes back to bringing a focus to the problem. We have numerous agencies but someone has to lead. The OPW has taken charge now. The office is trying to speed up somewhat the delivery of change.

The statutory basis of the OPW role in flood risk management is contained in the Arterial Drainage Acts 1945 to 1995. Under these Acts, the OPW undertook a number of arterial drainage schemes, whose purpose was primarily to improve the drainage of agricultural land to enhance production. I know what Deputy Fitzmaurice has said in this regard. This is what we are trying to enhance. Typically, that work involved lowering or widening riverbeds to facilitate the drainage and discharge of neighbouring lands and drainage channels. While not the primary purpose of the schemes, this work did provide enhanced conveyance capacity where rivers passed through towns, villages and dispersed rural communities. This has, in turn, reduced the amount of flooding that could occur in these areas. Although new arterial drainage schemes are no longer being undertaken, the OPW has a statutory duty to maintain the completed schemes and ensure they remain in proper repair and in an effective condition. Local authorities also have a statutory responsibility for the maintenance of drainage districts, which comprise local drainage schemes completed as per the 1935 legislation. Each year the OPW carries out work along approximately 2,000 km of channels as well as 200 structures throughout the country as part of its ongoing and rolling arterial drainage maintenance programme.

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