Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)

I, too, congratulate the Minister of State on being reappointed to the post he held previously. He is suited to this role. He has first-hand experience in Athlone. We all saw him on television manning the pumps.

I thank the Minister of State for coming to Clonmel and other places. Now that Clonmel is 97% or 98% secure from flooding, I appeal to him to deal with the insurance companies because, as far as Kilsheelan and Cahir, which are located ten miles away, houses are being built on flood plains.

People are being ripped off on insurance. If the floods come up over the mart in Cahir, we will have to lead the animals out on Noah's Ark. It is nonsense.

I also thank the Minister of State for engaging with me in recent months regarding the site for the Garda station in Clonmel and the plaza beside it. I received a map from his officials this morning. I also thank them for contacting me. I would love the Minister of State to come to see this site. We have been looking forward to the new Garda station for a long time. The matter was first raised here 60 years ago by Seán Treacy, God rest him. We have it now. The planning and design are to open the top of the plaza. The front facade will be looking against the plaza. It should be turned around because the building will be there for the next century, and I would love to see it properly placed in a suitable area in Clonmel.

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