Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Eugene Murphy for giving us the chance once again to discuss flooding. I am always reluctant to fight with Deputy Róisín Shortall and do not want to do so. but it is only fair to point out that during our time in government, the CFRAM process was initiated. It now forms the basis of much of the investment being made. Schemes were started and completed in Clonmel, Fermoy and along the River Tolka during our time in government and under various Ministers of State responsible for the OPW. While we did not get what we wanted done, which is a regret, it is wrong to say there was nothing done and that there were other priorities. Considerable progress was made, particularly in the CRFAM programme area.

The Minister of State, Deputy Seán Canney, and the Minister of State elect, Deputy Kevin Boxer Moran, have brought considerable changes to the OPW when it comes to dealing with flooding. It is welcome that it is to start dredging the River Shannon. What about the other rivers the dredging of which the OPW is blocking? There is local agreement from all the other relevant bodies, including Inland Fisheries Ireland and the National Parks and Wildlife Service, but it seems once again that the OPW is the organisation that will not allow this work to be advanced. It is afraid that it will end up in the European court. Let me give an example. There is agreement with all of the agencies on cleaning and dredging the River Deel at Crossmolina where unbelievable damage was done there this time last year. The OPW speaks of one-in-100-year events, but there were two such events in three weeks in Crossmolina in 2015. When one attempts to pursue solutions, they are blocked by the OPW. In fairness to the Minister of State, Deputy Seán Canney, he has been there, as has Deputy Kevin Boxer Moran.

We need a River Shannon agency, given its importance, but there is time for some vehicle allowing all of the agencies to be involved in river management. They spend their time blaming one another for the lack of progress; therefore, they should be brought under one roof when it comes to the management and control of rivers. Until that happens, the work that needs to be done in flood prevention will not happen as there will always be somebody else to blame. There will always be an animal in the river, a fish or a pearl muscle somewhere to block progress and which can be used in the apportioning of blame. While the Government can unveil plans worth millions of euro, money is not the problem; it is a matter of capacity, planning laws and a lack of will to take on these issues. I wish the Minister of State well in this effort.

There is no sense in doing all of this work if people will be left without insurance cover. They cannot get it, through no fault of their own. It is because we are not moving the schemes quickly enough. The insurance companies will not respect the democratic will of this Parliament. It is time that we, as Members of Parliament, stood up for our rights to legislate and defended those whom we represent.

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