Lorraine Higgins (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for her response. It is a pity the Minister of State responsible, Deputy Brian Hayes, is not here to address the issue I have raised. The reply tells me action is being bogged down in bureaucracy when it comes to dealing with the issue and helping the people of east and south Galway.

I find that regrettable. His speech mentioned funding for repair of flood defences. That is not the answer in this case. The answer is cleaning and maintaining the channels in the river to ensure the water can flow to the sea and not cause any further flooding problems. There was also mention of a cost-benefit analysis and talk about consultants. These are all arguments for doing nothing. These people need action from the Department immediately and there is an onus on the Department and a duty to expedite this. In his speech the Minister said he is comprehensively addressing this issue. If he asks the people of east and south Galway how they feel about that he will find they differ in opinion.