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

On numerous previous occasions, I have asked questions about work on flood relief measures. As the Minister, Deputy Naughten, will be aware, Roscommon and the surrounding counties have suffered terribly as a result of flooding. I acknowledge and admit that work has been done in respect of flood defences. My problem, as I have stated time and again, is that there is no dredging programme in place. As a result, there is no real cleaning up of rivers being done. We need to get this work done. The Tánaiste will have heard the adage, "Make hay while the sun shines." It certainly is appropriate. We have had six months of outstanding weather and I do not see diggers working on the rivers. I do not see the programme that was promised for the River Shannon being put in place. Members will know that rivers everywhere are choked up with peat and silt. I am aware that this is not the Tánaiste's area. The Minister, Deputy Naughten, is pushing for this. I implore the Tánaiste to use the fine weather to get this work done. We cannot wait for further floods to cause destruction to people's lives, as they have right along the Shannon.

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