Michael Kitt (Fianna Fail)

I support the points which have been made about water charges. The proposal to install water meters is a good one because they can be used to measure the amount of water that is used and to deal with water leakage, which is a significant problem in many water schemes. I hope the Minister can examine the inconsistency that exists in this regard, which needs to be dealt with. I refer to the charge per 1,000 gallons, which seems to vary in every county.

The serious flooding that started in many parts of the country last weekend has continued in recent days. The media highlighted the problems in Crossmolina, County Mayo, over the weekend. Television reports yesterday from Kilconly, which is in north Galway, informed us that the local IFA saved five cattle there which had been stranded for a few days before being brought to safety. I do not accept the excuse that flooding is simply caused by rivers bursting their banks, which has happened in a number of counties. I would like the Minister of State, Deputy Parlon, to come to the House to discuss this issue. Perhaps moneys will be made available in today's budget for flood relief, as has been done in previous budgets. It is important for the House to have a debate on the need to deal with this country's flooding blackspots.