Michelle Mulherin (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I ask that the Leader invites the Minister of State, Deputy Kevin Boxer Moran, who has responsibility for the Office for Public Works, OPW, to debate the whole issue of what progress has been made on the delivery of flood defences under the Capital Investment Plan 2016-2021. In September 2015, €430 million was put into a pot for investment in various schemes around the country. I know one such scheme is earmarked for my own area of Crossmolina. Crossmolina was flooded in November 2015 and December 2016. Prior to that, for a couple of years, consultants had considered long-term flood defences. In fact, very late in the day they decided that the building of flood defences in the town, which would comprise building a wall, could not be done because it would interfere with the integrity of a bridge. It seemed a bit late in the day to make that decision. They have considered options since then but a couple of years have elapsed. What accountability is there in terms of consultants carrying out their work? What deadlines have they been asked to work to? An option has not been yet been identified that would allow works to proceed to design yet the money is there. We need to see more for the people of Crossmolina-----