Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

With respect, we do not bypass the process because the Deputy raises it here in the Dáil. I am sure the Minister of State, Deputy Moran, is considering this application. As I said, he understands flooding and is doing an excellent job in understanding local complexities and investing in flood management systems. One of those investments is to ensure rivers flow and are not blocked unnecessarily and that river basins are, if necessary, altered appropriately. We also need to ensure that the environmental responsibilities we have towards river basin management is followed. This does not sound like a huge amount of money to me, but the process needs to be followed. The local authority needs to engage with the OPW's flood experts to progress this project and I am sure it will.

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