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

I thank the Minister of State for his reply. It is the first sign of positivity I have seen since coming in here. At least the Minister of State recognises and understands the problem.

We have a problem in Europe for the simple reason that the water framework directive is hitting the habitats directive head-on. We could have the best will in the world and the greatest people in the world in the OPW. However, they are still being shafted by three or four crowds and that is a problem. The Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht needs to put her head above the parapet and tell those responsible in the National Parks and Wildlife Service and all the other groups to pull back and let the OPW take charge of a difficult and dangerous situation.

The work of voluntary groups in communities throughout the country has been phenomenal. However, a certain fear remains. I spoke to engineers from my local authority last weekend. They are afraid to call for help in case something goes wrong and someone gets hurt. If that happens, there will be a problem. We need to ensure that we change something because there are many good people involved. I refer, for example, people who bring diggers out and who would do whatever it takes in an emergency to help their people and their country. We need to facilitate these individuals. A council engineer should not have to look over his shoulder sweating about whether something happens.

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine needs to get involved. We have brought in the green low-carbon agri-environment schemes. That is fine. At present, a farmer could decide to plant 1,000 m of hedges a mile down his field. However, there could be 500 m of trees adjacent to the road that could kill someone because they are rotten and could fall. We need to introduce something that is constructive. For example, if a farmer plants 500 sq. m in a field, he should be able to cut 500 sq. m if other trees are going to be a danger to people. Any tree over 6 ft. high located along a main road is a danger, particularly in view of what I saw in the aftermath of Storm Desmond at the weekend.

GLAS should include arrangements for cleaning water channels rather than only for making a habitat that a farmer is going to destroy in five years' time because he does not get the basic payment scheme qualification. We need to start doing constructive things that will help. It would save money at the end of the day. Ultimately, houses that are flooded cost insurance firms or the Government or else the cost comes out of people's pockets. We need a little joined-up thinking between the relevant people to ensure that the various Departments are set aside and that one person or group takes charge. To be honest, we must to cut to the chase. The biggest problem is that when flood goes and the sun comes out, the memory of it seems to disappear. We have to cut to the chase or else no one will be living in the west because they will only be drowned out of it.

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