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

The programme for Government made a strong commitment to deal with flood relief and flood defences. As the Fianna Fáil spokesperson for matters relating to the Office of Public Works, OPW, including flood relief, I am getting an increased number of calls from around the country from people who are extremely distressed because farms and businesses are being destroyed. People cannot get insurance. Many families have been turned down for the relocation policy. This is a major crisis.

Most disappointing of all, from 2011 to 2017 there has been a €53 million underspend on flood defences. Will the Taoiseach assure me that this issue will get proper focus in the national development plan, because having read it I am not happy with what is in it? Will the Taoiseach assure me that that €53 million will be used as quickly as possible where flood defences are needed? My county, Roscommon, has had no money spent on a major flood defence despite incredible damage caused in 2015 and 2016.

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