Maria Byrne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am delighted the Minister of State is here. I thank my Green Party colleagues for tabling the motion.

I know how committed the Minister of State is to his Department and the work he has been doing. Where I live, I am surrounded by the River Shannon and most of my electoral area is surrounded by the river. Last May, I read in the newspapers that the OPW in conjunction with Limerick City and County Council appointed consultant engineers to work on the Limerick and environs flood relief plan. I welcome that announcement. Perhaps the Minister of State can update us about the scheme. The scheme encompasses the city centre Quays, Thomondgate, Corbally, Annacotty, Montpelier, the docklands; Condell Road, Ballinacurr, Rosbrien, Ballysimon and the Old Cratloe Road. I am sure that Senator Garvey will not mind if I mention Westbury and Shannon Banks, which even though they are in County Clare are on the verge of Limerick city, and they are included in the scheme.

The Castleconnell flood relief scheme has been ongoing for many years. Castleconnell and Montpelier have been flooded many times. Works have been carried out bit by bit and I ask the Minister of State for an update now or at some stage.

The OPW has undertaken many successful schemes. Over the years money has been invested in Clancy Strand and O'Callaghan Strand, yet both were flooded the year before last. Is it planned to carry out further works at both locations? The height of the walls were raised and many incentives have been put in place but more than 1,000 houses are affected in the different areas to which I have alluded.

With regard to Castleconnell, the banks of the River Shannon have been broken on many occasions. The OPW has done wonderful work in the past and that work is ongoing. I ask the Minister of State for an update and to let me know if further works are planned.