Eugene Murphy (Roscommon-Galway, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for his detailed response. However, I must point out that Claregalway, Dunkellin, Craughwell, Gort, Kinvarra and Monivea are not the Roscommon-Galway constituency. Those areas are in the Minister of State's constituency of east Galway. The question relates to the Roscommon-Galway constituency. The Minister is correct that money was provided for works on the Jiggy river in Roscommon and in Ballinasloe.

Roscommon County Council submitted an estimate to the Department last year for funding for repair of damage done by the appalling floods at that time. The estimate was €11 million, in respect of which €6.4 million was allocated by the Department. This means Roscommon County Council was short €5 million for repair works caused by the floods. To date, the remaining funding to carry out the extra work needed has not been forthcoming. It is essential that we get that funding in 2017. I was told yesterday by Roscommon County Council that it has no money available for houses threatened by flooding, some of which were flooded or almost flooded last year. It is essential that the Minister of State reflects on that and ensures the additional money is provided for works in the Roscommon-Galway constituency.

See this speech in context