Paudie Coffey (Fine Gael)

I welcome the proposal to require local authorities to carry out flood risk assessments. We are all aware of cases where conflicts have arisen in regard to development plans where, for example, development has been allowed in areas where significant Exchequer investment has been required to guard against flooding. This provision will oblige local authorities to focus on flood risk assessments in areas particularly vulnerable to flooding. It is a welcome inclusion in planning legislation which should have been in place long before now.