Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State. However, he could have given me that answer in June or July. I want to know what specific new initiatives he has taken to deal with the rainfall levels this summer and their potential impact on the flooding in those communities later this year. We had the extraordinary event in Donegal but that is now becoming less extraordinary and more the norm. While the response was eventually very comprehensive, it took some time to organise. Will the Minister give a guarantee to communities across the country that, in the event of there being a flooding emergency in their community this winter, the response will be immediate and there will not be delays?

The OPW has spoken of "one in 100-year" flooding events. Given what happened in Donegal and what happened in 2015 and 2016, are there plans to change how the impact of flooding events is measured?

The Minister of State mentioned Crossmolina. The scheme there is very welcome and I commend the OPW for using it. However, we do not want to see it used. Will the Minister of State give me an update on the long-term plan for Crossmolina?

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