Seanad debates

Wednesday, 20 January 2016

10:30 am

Photo of Simon HarrisSimon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We will certainly look at that matter.

In terms of the underspend, I have been at pains not to be party political during this time. Anywhere I went I invited Oireachtas Members of all political hues to attend because I believe rain and floods are not party political issues. I am somewhat frustrated, at this stage, that there has been scaremongering about budgetary matters. Let us be very clear. We are spending more on flood relief in the next years as a country - €430 million - than we did in the past 20 years and right throughout the Celtic tiger period. Every year, as people know, there is a need for multi-annual budgets. One can say one will start a flood relief scheme now but the bills might fall due next year. There has been an increase in flood relief spending this year compared with last year. I know that we are in an electoral cycle. There are loads of political issues that I look forward to debating with political parties but I ask them not to make partisan political points about flood funding, particularly when they are factually incorrect.

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