Kevin O'Keeffe (Cork East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We might get him back. The Taoiseach gave me assurances recently that progress is being made. I am delighted about that.

I wish to return to a question raised by a spokesperson earlier as to what Fianna Fáil did about it. When Fianna Fáil was in Government the regular flooding problem was in the Mallow and Fermoy areas. The money for that was ring-fenced during the financial crisis. The then Ministers of State, former Deputy Martin Mansergh, and former Deputy Tom Parlon, who was the Minister of State in the preceding Government, ring-fenced the money. As the Minister of State, Deputy Canney, said, there is a process to go through involving studies, structures and other issues. However, the works were completed.

The flooding episodes occurred this time last year. We do not need more rainfall to reignite the argument about this issue because it is still on people's minds from the flooding that occurred 12 months ago. My constituency was a good example at the time of where there was a good and bad side in terms of the flooding. It is like when Rome burned and Emperor Nero danced away. When most of County Cork was being flooded, my constituents in Cork East were able to relax and enjoy the two days of 30 and 31 December 2015.

I welcome this motion. I hope it pre-empts further development of the Flood Insurance Bill being brought into effect. I have premises along the catchment area of the River Blackwater and those businesses cannot get insurance at present, which leads to other difficulties for them.

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