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

I do not disagree with Deputy Conway-Walsh. If we had a magic bullet to circumvent the regulations we must go through, we certainly would be using it. Many towns, villages and cities such as Galway are under constant threat. When people are living under a psychological threat such as this, it causes a lot of mental trauma. It is not for the want of energy and enthusiasm from our point of view. If we go bald-headed into a process whereby we may not get planning permission and we end up in the High Court with a judicial review, I would be questioned as to why we did not follow an exhaustive process to make sure all of the environmental regulations in particular were attached.

I have been to Crossmolina and Ballina. I have seen at first hand the need for these schemes. By the same token, the scheme in Westport, which is under construction at present, will considerably improve the situation for the people living there. We want to do more. It is not a resource issue nor a money issue but rather a procedural issue. I wish it were faster but at present it is not.

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