Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

We have heard from Deputies representing a dozen or so different constituencies throughout the State. The one point that echoes loud and clear in all their contributions is that there is a serious problem with the management of the River Shannon. We must do better in this regard. Added to the complexities and issues we are currently facing is the unknown quantity of the future impact of climate change. While we do not know or agree on what that might be, we should, at the very least, agree on the need to be prepared. We do not have a huge amount of data on our rivers and the data we do have only go back to the 1960s. As Dr. Mary Bourke of Trinity College has noted, we cannot definitively conclude that increasing flood levels are or are not related to climate change. Either may be the case and we must be prepared for all eventualities.

It is unreasonable not to try to make predictions and face up to a future that could be twice as devastating as what the situation is today for the people in the 11 counties along the River Shannon. The data we do have show that, in each decade, the volume of flooding has increased by approximately 5%. That is measured in cubic metres of water released per second. For people living in the areas that are at risk of flooding, these figures will strike fear and anxiety as they try to calculate what exactly a yearly increase of 5% will mean for their home, family farm, livestock, livelihood and their children's future. Earlier this year, a constituent of mine in Longford had to move livestock off his land because of rising water levels. One might say that this is par for the course in the agricultural world but, in his case, it is the first time in the generations his family has farmed the land that livestock had to be moved from that area. Last night, I spoke to a business owner in Athlone who told me he is already monitoring the water levels and ensuring there is space to move stock and fittings at very short notice should the need arise.

The best chance to deal with flooding on the River Shannon is to allow this Bill is to progress in its entirety. We cannot allow this ongoing failure to persist. We must not allow the problem to continue to be put on the long finger. This is an urgent issue for the homes and livelihoods of the residents of the 11 counties through which the Shannon flows. We, as their elected representatives, should treat the matter as urgently as they do. I ask the Minister of State to withdraw the Government amendment, support the Bill on Second Stage and allow it go to committee for scrutiny. There is no justification for delaying these proposals and kicking them down the road for nine months. The people of these 11 counties do not have nine months to wait. The amendment is a ridiculous proposal that is reflective of the attitude of Governments for decades. How can the Minister of State realistically be happy to delay a Bill which he clearly recognises has merit?

Multiple Governments have had plenty of time to date to effectively deal with this. How does the Minister of State go back to these communities, look his constituents in the eye and sell this amendment as a good idea that is in their best interests? How does he tell them that they must wait another nine months - nine months of despair, worry and distress - before an agency with responsibility is even considered? People are more well informed than others give them credit for. In nine months' time, it will be August, when the Dáil is traditionally in recess. Every resident in any county through which the Shannon flows, including members of the public and of the Government, knows that a single agency with responsibility for the Shannon makes sense. This Bill should be passed now. It should be allowed to go to Committee Stage, where full scrutiny and full engagement with communities can take place.

This is typical of the approach successive Governments have taken to many issues, an approach almost of gaslighting. It is a continuous insulting of the intelligence of those most affected. It is also disconcerting. The Minister of State's own party and his own Government know that this is true. Any Deputy from these 11 counties, including those of every party and those of none, knows this agency is necessary. The only conclusion one can draw is that the Government is willing to play politics with any and all issues, regardless of the devastating impact doing so may have on lives.

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