Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for his reply. I know he has his own portfolio. He referred to the birds directive and the habitats directive. I am very familiar with both directives but the species under threat in the context of this disaster that is heading into an emergency are the people who live in the area and those whose lands have been destroyed. I hear what the Minister of State is saying regarding having people on the ground looking at the situation and assessing it, but I speak to people from Drumkeeran every day and they have heard nothing. They know that people are looking at the situation, etc., but they want to see action. They want to know that their homes and lands are protected.

The focus may be on protecting the habitat. If we do not do something to stabilise what is happening in the area, the habitat will be destroyed as well. People need to know that they are the primary focus. The Minister of State knows as well as I do that if that is not made clear, they will start to see the habitats directive and similar legislation in a negative context. It is not negative legislation and was never meant to be such, but people must come first.

We need support to be provided to Leitrim County Council. As my colleague, Deputy Fitzmaurice, stated, we need some sort of task force to be set up to ensure people can have faith that the institutions of the State will help them when a disaster occurs.

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