Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)

Cuirim fáilte roimh an tAire Stáit. I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Mansergh, and thank him for the work he is doing. I begin by extending my sympathy and solidarity with the people of Cork, Galway, Clare and elsewhere who have been hit by flooding. No words of mine can adequately express the devastation and loss that people feel as a result of this flooding, whether they are in Grattan Street in Cork city, Bandon or elsewhere. People have been devastated. I want to pay tribute to the many volunteers and public servants who are providing frontline services to those affected. Gardaí, members of the Civil Defence, the Defence Forces, city and county council workers, HSE staff and fire brigade staff have done great work since last Thursday.

The Bishop of Cork and Ross, Bishop Colton, issued a pastoral message this morning. He said that many people are rediscovering the value of neighbourliness, friendship and community life at this time. He is right. There is a sense of camaraderie and team spirit among the people of Cork. However, serious questions must be addressed and answers must be forthcoming. I am not apportioning blame to anybody, but it would be remiss of me in my duties as a public representative not to ask whether the ESB gave adequate warning. Did the ESB have the right intention in releasing water from the Inniscarra and Ardnacrusha dams? Is the Inniscarra dam big enough to cope with climate change, or do we need to alter the system? Will the Government fund city and county council flood protection schemes? In the case of Cork, will it fund the strengthening and enhancing of the city's quay walls?

I am glad the Minister of State has agreed to the need for a national flood alert system, as per the Fine Gael motion in the Dáil yesterday. We need an early warning system because the problem is ongoing. People will need to receive notification of such matters. I have spoken to people in Cork whose homes have been damaged, but compensation is not at the top of their list. They are seeking help, but they want to know why they were not told in advance so that sandbags could be put in place. Why was there no such mechanism? I agree with the Minister of State, as well as Senator Cannon and others, that this is about people.