Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)

As the Deputy knows, I have visited Midleton and know too well the strain that is on the people there and the other groups, particularly in the other areas that have been flooded. No one knows that better than I do. Since my taking up this role, we have gone from five schemes to 13 schemes, with 11 at construction and two more to follow this year. That is a huge jump. The OPW is working with the local authorities. The whole-of-government approach is trying to help people and communities that are suffering greatly. They are the people the Deputy and I represent.

I have travelled most of the country and have been down in the Deputy's neck of the woods. I was in it again last week. My wife asked me last Sunday where I was going. I said I was going to Cork and she said to me, "They see more of you than I do." I am all too well aware of the issues. I feel for people greatly when it comes to flooding. I spoke to the local authorities. I am there to help the local authorities and I want to move on tranche 2 schemes. That is why I brought the issue to the fore and why we have teams meeting with the local authorities to see how fast we can move. We talk about what is available.

On the minor works scheme, I engaged with Kevin in Cork the other day and I said to him that when I go down and meet these groups up and down the country, not just in Cork, I want the local authorities to use the minor works scheme to do interim solutions to help the people in the communities. I am somewhat taken aback when the Deputy refers to flood gates. They are an interim solution, not the final solution. They give people comfort and they do work. I know what the Deputy is saying about a flood of 5 ft. I can understand that quite clearly. However, when that proposal is put to the people, they grasp it because they need support and help. That is what we are here to provide. The Government has backed it up with the money and now we just have to deliver the scheme. From having five schemes to having 11 schemes at construction stage in such a short few months shows we are delivering, working with the local authorities up and down the country.

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