Michael Mullins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister. I support my colleagues, especially those in Galway West, Senators Naughton and Ó Clochartaigh, and my colleague from Clare, Senator Conway. These were the two areas that suffered the worst impact of the high winds and storms over Christmas and in early January. Thankfully, the eastern part of the county, which I represent, escaped relatively unscathed on this occasion. However, we went close to getting a taste of what occurred in Ballinasloe in 2009, and there was certainly much concern and worry in the Ballinasloe area for a couple of days until the waters began to recede a little.

Of the estimate of more than €18 million made by Galway County Council for the repair of damage, approximately €500,000 of that is required to repair roads in east Galway that have been seriously damaged. The most significant concern in the eastern part of the county is along the Shannon Callows. Farmers in that area encounter huge problems every winter trying to pursue their farming activities. When the emergency is over, there is a need for a broader debate on the issue of drainage works on the River Shannon. While the OPW is the lead agency, there are so many other organisations involved in that area, including the National Parks and Wildlife Service, fisheries, the ESB and Waterways Ireland, that no action is being taken. We must give legal authority to the OPW to enable real progress to be made there. On a future occasion I will ask for a debate in the House on drainage policy with particular reference to the River Shannon and its tributaries.