Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I again raise Shannon Heritage and the matter of what exactly is happening with it and with the funding requested by Clare County Council. It has been going on and on and there are many workers in Shannon Heritage who are very uncertain of what their future holds. There should be some way of having a debate or even statements on the future of Shannon Heritage because of its importance to the tourism offering in County Clare. There is major potential for growth. All that is required is the financial commitment from Government to upgrade the sites. It would complement the Cliffs of Moher visitor experience greatly if we had upgraded Bunratty and Craggaunowen visitor experiences. This issue has been going on and on but we are coming towards the end of the year now. Marketing plans and budgets are being put in place for 2023 yet Clare County Council does not know whether it is coming or going with respect to what it is to do or what its role will be with Shannon Heritage.

We should also have a debate on flooding with the Minister of State with responsibility for the OPW, Deputy O'Donovan. A great deal of money has been spent on flood relief schemes and coastal protection in County Clare. In Lahinch alone, something like €12 million has been spent over the past few years on coastal protection. Money has been spent in Ennis. South-east Clare has always been a challenge but there are many other parts of the country that are worried, having seen the inclement weather of the last week or so. It is an important issue we need to be regularly updated on. We need to know what the plans are for the next few years. It would be a debate many Members would find interesting. The people who watch us, especially those who live in areas where there is the constant threat of flooding, would be very interested in an update from the Minister of State.