Colm Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State. I fully appreciate and understand his role in the Office of Public Works. I have found all of his staff in the office to be extremely helpful and supportive of this flood relief work. I fully understand where the Minister of State is coming from. Anything I said is not a criticism of him or his Department but local residents are frustrated with the situation. I take on board what he has said about the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. I have expressed my concerns and will continue to do so to that Department about the allocation being provided and signed off. I am sure that he will understand that if the allocation is signed off today work will not start for seven or eight months. In the not too distant future we will face into another winter of high water levels. Unfortunately, residents are extremely concerned and stressed out every winter because the necessary works have not been completed. I thank the Minister of State for his work on this area.