Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein)
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19. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if, given the recent events in Cork, he will outline the steps he is taking to deliver flood relief schemes in order to protect residents, businesses, and local communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47040/23]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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I will take an introduction to her question from Deputy Conway-Walsh. I will also take a brief reply.

Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein)
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I appreciate that. There was a bit of a mix-up in the questions. We have talked about flooding all morning. I am looking for an update on the Crossmolina flood relief scheme and when it will commence. I am worried because what I have received from the Department states the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery, and Reform will give statutory consent to the scheme allowing the project team to bring Crossmolina flood relief forward. The people of Crossmolina are still waiting. There is still information going back and forth with regard to this matter. I am also concerned that the timeframe for the scheme will be four years. That is 48 months. The people of Crossmolina cannot wait that long.

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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The time for construction is limited by the time we are allowed into rivers. I know, for instance, the Deputy's colleague in the Seanad, Senator Boylan, as the Cathaoirleach Gníomhach referred to, has a particular issue with the Arterial Drainage Act and wants to dismantle it. She wants to dismantle our ability to be able to deliver these schemes. I implore the Deputy to ask her Seanad colleague not to go down that route because it will leave many communities in this country in a very vulnerable situation, including those in areas that have already been catered for under the Arterial Drainage Act and those that will be delivered for under that legislation.

Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein)
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I must respond. The Minister of State knows that is an updating of the 1945 Act. There is too much messing going on here. Crossmolina has waited since 2015 when it was flooded out. The people of that town are now being told in 2023 that it will be 2027 before there is flood relief.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Deputy.

Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein)
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It is completely disingenuous of the Minister of State to deflect from that.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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We are over time.

Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein)
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The Minister of State knows that is not the case.

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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I have been referred to as disingenuous.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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We will allow the Minister of State a quick answer.

Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein)
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The people have been waiting since 2012 and will be waiting until 2027.

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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For the benefit of the House, I will quote from the record of the Seanad.

Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein)
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The people have been waiting since 2012 and will be waiting until 2027.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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I am sorry, Deputy.

Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein)
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This is completely disingenuous.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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I am sorry, Deputy.

Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein)
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The other Deputy took the time when he was not supposed to.

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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For the benefit of the House-----

Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein)
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This is too serious a matter.

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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It is important to point out that the Deputy's Seanad colleague-----

Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein)
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For God's sake.

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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-----stated: "Ceasing the arterial drainage works would not only benefit biodiversity but would also reduce the risk of flooding in our towns and villages."

Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein)
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Biodiversity is compatible with what needs to be done here. Stop playing games with people. Stop it.