Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will deal with the latter question first. The Crossmolina scheme is subject to planning consent. I will forward a detailed note on it to the Deputy.

To go back to Deputy Tóibín's question, the CFRAM study on tranche 1 is about protecting 80% of properties. Flooding causes great difficulties for people. I know what it is like. I come from a constituency where there has been a large amount of flooding so I am fully aware. However, it is not fair to say that flood schemes are not being put in place. They are. Would we like to see them in place more quickly? Absolutely. There are issues that must be overcome, however. If you are looking for the negative, you will always find it. It is like looking at a jar to see if it is half-full or half-empty. I feel the Deputy always sees it as half-empty. The Deputy is perfectly entitled to make arguments but it is important that he make balanced ones. He should accept and acknowledge the things that are happening. By all means, he may criticise other aspects but he should do so in a balanced way.

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