Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for his response. One of the elements that could be undertaken quickly is the construction of flood defence mechanisms around private residences under the minor works scheme. If community groups could be given the chance to work on a solution, I have no doubt, having spent a lot of time with them over the weekend, that they would be happy to do so. The CFRAM study report can inform the management of flooding of the River Shannon at a later stage. Minor flood defence works and the question of relocation must be considered first.

The Minister of State has pointed out that tremendous work has been done by the Army and the county council and there a number of heroes who deserve a special mention. Ms Bridget Kinsella and her three sons stayed up all night to try to protect their home. Bridget is a widow with three teenage sons and thanks to their hard work, they managed to prevent their house from being flooded. I also mention the Masons - Geraldine, her brother, husband and children - who did the same. They managed to save their home, although Geraldine's mother's home was flooded, as was that of her brother, which is a pity.

I pay tribute to some great public servants, including Mr. Hugh McGrath, the area engineer, and Mr. Pat Henchy, who have done tremendous work on behalf of Clare County Council. Mr. Adrian Kelly, the chief fire officer, has also done wonderful work, as have all of the staff who have been working around the clock to save people. Sergeant Mary Daly from the Army also deserves credit for her input on behalf of the Defence Forces, as do local gardaí. The local independent councillor Michael Begley has had a gang of people out filling sandbags and is doing tremendous work in the area.

I must commend all of the neighbours and friends in the area, including Dave and Shirley Mulcahy. While their home has not been under pressure, they have been wading through water in an effort to get their children to school. They are trying to ensure life goes on in the middle of the devastation. They are all great people and it is important to record our thanks for what they have done in the spirit of the community at such a difficult time. It is an especially difficult time for those who will be out of their homes for Christmas. I hope the floods will abate and that nobody else will have to face that prospect.

I wish to make one final point, but, first, I stress that I do not distrust the ESB. In fact, I have the height of respect and the highest regard for ESB engineers and what they have succeeded in doing over the generations. That said, concern has been expressed about whether the ESB is managing the waterways in the best way possible. Under statute, it has one primary concern - the generation of electricity at Ardnacrusha. It is required by law to maintain certain water levels. This is probably a good time to undertake an independent review of the management of the River Shannon in its entirety in the context of how we generate electricity now and will do so into the future. We must determine if we need to maintain the levels deemed necessary in the past and whether we should continue generating electricity in the same way.

I pose the questions. I am not an engineer, so I do not know. People would certainly like to see that issue addressed. If that could form part of the Government's mid-term analysis of all of this problem, it would be worthwhile.

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