Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy. To be fair, I have not added any new complications that were not previously advised. It would not be a fair reflection on the response that has been given either. I share his frustration. We are equally frustrated by the lengthy time that these things take but they have always taken time to address. It is terrible whether it is in Cloonlara or Springfield in County Clare, Bantry, Cork city or any of the towns in Wexford. As I said earlier in response to a previous question, we had a debate in the House last week on where this country needs to get to in respect of flood management, flood delivery and flood mitigation. At the moment, climate change is running faster than the process is changing. We need to have a long adult-like conversation in this country on the timeframe for the delivery of major infrastructural projects of this nature. The difficulties to which the Deputy alluded are nothing compared to the difficulties that will be encountered when we come to coastal erosion and coastal flooding. Any support that the Deputy can give me and my Department in regard to ameliorating those delays would be welcomed.

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