Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)

I acknowledge and appreciate all the work that has been done, particularly by the people and those in the farming community who live around Lough Funshinagh. It was great to go down there to switch on the pumps. It is great now to see the work on the interim solution coming to fruition, particularly as I was involved with the work on it when I was in government previously.

The long-term solution is on target for planning by the end of the year. As the Deputy knows, we had a consultation day in County Roscommon, which was very well attended. It is very important to get people to attend such events because we can iron out the issues and problems that may be foreseen. As stated, we are on target. This is a good-news story for the people of Lough Funshinagh. I have visited the householders there on a number of occasions. Even when I was not in government and out of politics, I still called at Christmas to see people. I have seen the devastation, etc., at first hand and have tried for years to find a solution. We now have a solution. The Deputy is right; we need the permanent solution. We are on target to deliver that, so it is good work all around by everybody.

See this speech in context