Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

It is necessary to make these interventions. All these schemes are very important because we have seen the huge issue with flooding in the last while. We are talking about better preparations for extreme weather conditions. It is absolutely vital we see delivery of these particular projects. I did not expect the Minister of State to come back with specifics. The Dundalk-Blackrock south relief scheme is really needed. Planning applications need to be submitted by the Q2 of 2027. In fairness, I got a written response on that but we must ensure there is delivery within those timelines and then beyond that, a wider piece of work needs to be done. That is the bit I asked about, that is, the interdepartmental group. When will we have the interdepartmental group's body of work and a more detailed plan on all those mitigations, including everything from the natural to the unnatural flood protection schemes that can be put in place? We have seen some of this work expertly done in places where farmers agree to allow certain parts of land to be flooded. They flood, the water recedes quickly and everyone gets back to normal but it also saves many homes.

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