Kathryn Reilly (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the opportunity to speak on the issue of flooding. It is very important because of the summer we have had. We must discuss its effects and how to prevent the dreadful consequences flooding has for local communities. We must recognise it is becoming an issue that we must deal with more regularly, and this will continue as the effects of climate change, such as more extreme weather events, become the norm rather than the exception. This means we must step up our prevention measures and preparation for when floods take place, bearing in mind more extreme flooding is more likely to occur. We must prepare for the worst case scenario rather than ending up using hindsight.

The practical effects of failing to put in place proper flood prevention measures are very clear as we saw earlier in the summer. It affects public and private property and agriculture, and general economic disruption running into tens of millions of euro results from flooding. Last October two people were tragically killed as a result of floods. Insurance helps people in the short term, but if flooding becomes more regular premiums will rise to reflect this reality and businesses and homeowners could do without this, particularly given the economic climate.

An issue raised with me is the frustration of local authorities in attempting to carry out flood prevention work on land in national parks. They feel essential flood prevention work is being unnecessarily delayed by an overburdensome procedure whereby the national parks rather than the OPW have the final say. I would appreciate the Minister of State making a comment on this.

With regard to the flood directive, while I recognise we are on course to implement it on schedule we are lagging behind the North in implementing some of its facets, in particular the requirement to complete flood maps.

In particular, in the North they are ahead of us in meeting the requirement to complete flood maps. The Minister of State has discussed this matter with the Northern Minister, Ms Michelle O'Neill, MLA. I hope this co-operation can be increased and expertise shared in order that all of the island can be mapped as soon as possible. This is a natural area in which co-operation is necessary, given the overlap of flood catchment areas in the Border region. Rivers do not recognise partition.

The flood maps represent an excellent use of technology to overcome an age-old problem. Do we have sufficient technical know-how to make the best use of existing flood prevention technology? Prevention constitutes money well spent. We need to increase the use of the technology and, where there are unnecessary delays, take practical policy steps, as the issue will not go away. I hope the Minister of State will reassure the House that it will remain a priority for him and that he will be open to suggestions from all local communities.