Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The Minister of State, Deputy O'Sullivan, worked with the Minister of State, Deputy Moran, who was in Donegal in recent weeks, where he met with residents and saw the condition of these houses. There is an urgency in that some of the houses are in appalling conditions, are clearly unsafe and families are still living in them. At the same time, they live on a dangerous flood plain. Of course, those houses should never have been granted planning permission. We inherit the legacy of what came before us.

I appreciate the Minister has agreed to the principle of relocation but there is anxiety that this could drag on for a long period. This is urgent. The residents need a solution. They have worked in partnership with the Minister and demonstrated that all the homes are affected and have to be demolished. It is a common-sense proposal. The flood defences will not have to be built and the area will return to a flood plain. It ticks every box in relation to common sense but we need urgency. I appreciate the Minister's forbearance and work on this to date but getting this over the line would be a huge relief for everybody.

See this speech in context