Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)

I know too well the problems people face. There is nothing as bad as getting up in the morning or going to bed at night when there is rain or wind. I know too well the suffering, worry and stress this causes whole families and the people around them. The Government is very much committed to delivering schemes. As I said, in the last few years we delivered between €68 million and €74 million.

By the end of this year, a total of €93 million will be delivered through schemes. That shows that in the few months of this Government, with the help of the Minister, Deputy Chambers, and the finances we have, we are delivering for the people.

There are backups and delays we have to work through to see, as I said at the outset, whether we can slimline the planning process to try to deliver faster for the people. I know too well what the Deputy explained today. I have seen it first hand in my town of Athlone. Now that the flood defences are almost complete in Athlone, I see the pressure that is off the people and what it does for businesses. It gives people quality of life. I look forward to meeting the Deputy in Kerry.

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