Thomas Byrne (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We should all be conscious of the extreme difficulties being faced by people in Munster. The weather in Cork and Limerick is unbelievably extreme. Trees are down everywhere; students are being told not to leave buildings, lectures are being cancelled and so forth. While the damage is storm rather than flood related, it is likely to be extremely severe. People are really suffering.

At least two lorries have overturned on roads, so it is extremely dangerous in the south. I hope everyone there will be safe and take precautions.

The flooding of the past several weeks has been very difficult. Massive damage has been inflicted on homes, commercial property and infrastructure with significant costs. There is the initial cost of businesses having to close, followed by the subsequent cost of preparing to open again, as well as insurance and the cost to the State in rectifying infrastructure and flood relief projects. The Minister of State was right to list the projects already completed. I am glad he referred to the scheme for the River Dodder in Dublin because I heard someone on the radio claim it never have been done and that it was just a stroke by Bertie Ahern. It has gone that bad.