Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I appreciate what the Minister of State, Deputy Perry, stated and will take it on board. Despite his response, and while I accept he is not the line Minister dealing with this issue, I am concerned that the delays on these issues are of grave concern to the communities in these areas.

Flooding creeps up in the night. It affects people, with water damage to their homes and businesses. It does significant damage. The progress that was promised has not been as effectual as I would like it to be. For example, this exhibition in Skibbereen was to have been held a couple of months ago and they now say it will be next spring. There is a delay every year in different phases of five or six months and over a five year schedule, there could be another year or a year and a half tagged on. I am concerned about the delay.

I do not expect the Minister of State, Deputy Perry, will be in a position to give me a response. I am deeply concerned, particularly about Bandon and Skibbereen which have a history in recent years of appalling flooding, that progress could be certainly much better.