Danny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Specific assurances were given under the programme for Government that flooding across the country would be dealt with. It is hard to believe it as the sun is shining here today but parts of County Kerry have had incessant rain for the past 24 to 36 hours. Waterville is cut off from Cahirciveen. The reason for this flooding across the country is because all our rivers are clogged up and blocked. There is a problem relating to Inland Fisheries Ireland that needs to be dealt with. Consultation and dialogue needs to take place between Inland Fisheries Ireland, the OPW, the local authorities, farmers, property owners and CFRAM. I ask the Taoiseach to arrange this dialogue because it is not happening at all. It is too slow and Inland Fisheries Ireland is not allowing work to clear out our rivers to take place. This cannot be allowed to continue. I put people before fish any day. People in rural Ireland must be able to live in and access their homes and to be kept free from water.

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