David Cullinane (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for his reply. The reality, however, is that local authorities will find it very difficult to raise the extra money locally given the constraints on their already limited revenue streams, including rates. The bottom line is that they require the support of central Government, particularly in respect of their roads programmes. I accept that the Government has a limited pot of money, but we are dealing here with exceptional circumstances. Roads have effectively been washed away as a result of unexpected volumes of rainfall. Local authorities cannot plan for such situations and there is a responsibility on the Department to do what it can to assist them. Will the Minister of State raise this matter with the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport with a view to providing further assistance for Waterford County Council?