Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

While I agree with the contribution of Senator Mac Conghail in respect of Margaretta D'Arcy, particularly in the context of that it is inhumane that a 79 year old lady who is suffering from illness should continue to be incarcerated, it must be noted there are wider issues in respect of the Shannon Airport controversy.

Wider issues arise regarding the Shannon Airport controversy. I remind the House that the Minister for Foreign Affairs under a previous Government secured written assurances from the United States Administration that persons who were subject to extraordinary rendition, as the practice was known, were not being transported through Shannon Airport and nothing illegal was taking place at the facility. Notwithstanding this assurance, the controversy remains a live issue. It is incumbent, therefore, on the Government to clarify precisely the current position regarding the allegations being made by those who are protesting at Shannon Airport.

Will the Leader ask the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Hayes, to come to the House to clarify the Government's intentions in respect of the flooding crisis? Today's newspapers provide a comprehensive list of approximately 300 cities, towns and villages which could potentially suffer from flooding. I was surprised to learn that my home town of Drumshambo and other towns in Country Leitrim, including Ballinamore, Carrick-on-Shannon, Mohill and Manorhamilton, feature on this list. While I appreciate that Drumshambo is close to Lough Allen and the lough's waters occasionally extend close to the town, we have not experienced crisis flooding in living memory. The plan published in the press raises serious questions and I ask that the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Hayes, come before the House to clarify the position as regards potential flooding in the towns, cities and villages listed and outline the Government's plans in this regard.