David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Would the Minister of State agree that his last point on sea level rises is something that we really need to get our act together on? If reports are true, we face a very serious impact on property and housing, farmland, railway lines and so on across the country. I get the feeling we are not treating this with the urgency that we should as a Government, as a State or as a nation but it is coming if all the scientists are correct.

Would the Minister of State agree that perhaps the local authorities do not have the capacity to draw down the funding he is talking about? It is very serious if they are not drawing down the amounts which he mentioned because these schemes are needed. If money is being handed back because local authorities do not have the capacity, is it time for the Government to have a conversation with local authorities to see if they need more help, such as more personnel to get this work done in time?

See this speech in context