Eugene Murphy (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I agree with the comments of Senator McDowell in regard to meat factories. The public is not happy with what is going on in the meat factories. We all know the importance of the jobs in that area and the importance of the export market but for this particular business to be up and running, we must have in place the strictest conditions and testing. That is not happening and there are question marks over what is going on there. I appeal to the Government and the HSE to ensure the strictest testing structure is put in place immediately. I note there was reference to the situation in Cork as well. This needs to be rectified as a matter of urgency. The Government is expecting people to accept new measures that are to be introduced.

Flooding has been a massive issue throughout this country. It has got worse in the context of climate change. I will not spend too much time speaking about the River Shannon basin and the damage that has been to it for years and years. It is now in a worse condition. Farmers and businesses in that area have suffered. It has to be acknowledged that the previous Government and former Minister of State, Mr. Moran, did a lot on flooding. It provided a huge budget for it. It is important that particular campaign of helping people to deal with the flooding issue continues. As I said, a lot of work has been done.We have protected towns and villages but we have pushed the water out into rural areas, which is causing more flooding of agricultural land and affecting businesses in rural area. I ask the Leader to ask the Minister of State with responsibility for this issue, Deputy O'Donovan, to come to the House and give us an update on what is planned to deal with what will be a very serious problem for the nation.