Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the decision by the Government this morning on the relocation of families affected by serious flooding. I commend the Minister of State, Deputy Seán Canney, on a voluntary scheme of relocation. There are situations in certain parts of Ireland, particularly down in the callows in south Roscommon and along the River Shannon, where flooding will just not be solved. It is a voluntary scheme which has about €2 million this year. Every case should be taken on its merits. Lough Funshinagh is rising all the time now compared to some years ago.

Nothing is really new about these policies.In 1978, I was a Deputy and we relocated families in the Clonown area of south Roscommon. There was not much of a fanfare about it. We did it through the Fianna Fáil Party and realistically so. Nothing is particularly new about this. I do not mind the Government parties copying a good policy that was in place a long time ago; that is welcome. I have come across cases where there is continuous flooding and the only solution is to move to higher ground. It is a tragedy to see families displaced by flooding. It was a terrible year but I am delighted to welcome the scheme. There was also a similar scheme in south Roscommon in the 1950s. The River Shannon has been a great asset but it has also been a great problem for the people of the Clonown area, in particular. I wish the scheme well and I hope people will be assisted to relocate on a voluntary basis.