Seán Kyne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I join the Cathaoirleach in paying tribute to a former colleague, Seanadóir and Deputy, Mr. Louis J. Belton. I extend my sympathy to his partner Anita, sister Maureen, neighbours and friends. We will have an opportunity at another time to give more fulsome tributes but, on behalf of the Fine Gael group, I would like to be associated with the Cathaoirleach's comments today.

I acknowledge the great work of Galway County Council and first responders over the past number of days and at the weekend following the horrific flooding that took place in Galway city, Clarinbridge, Oranmore and other areas along the coast. An unprecedented tidal surge took place and, in some cases, the storm was in and gone again in the space of an hour and 15 minutes. There was a severe impact on businesses, particularly in Clarinbridge and Galway city. Unfortunately, in the case of the city, it is not the first time and dare I say, it will not be the last because of the timescales for the delivery of major flood works. These timescales are a bone of contention, including with the Minister of State, Deputy O'Donovan, and perhaps we could get him into the House to discuss flood defence schemes again.

I welcome the work of the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Humphreys, and the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Deputy Harris, on humanitarian aid for businesses that are uninsured and that suffered severe impacts. That was absolutely necessary and I welcome the speed with which that was done. I also acknowledge the work of all local councillors, including Councillor Eddie Hoare, the mayor of Galway city and Councillor Liam Carroll, Cathaoirleach of the council and Councillor Martina Kinane, who was on ground in Clarinbridge. It was a hugely difficult night, morning and day and it will remain so for weeks to come for business owners who were impacted. This calls into question the timescale of the delivery of some projects. Some of these incidents are flukes and cannot be predicted but there are schemes planned for Galway city that are going to take a decade to complete, according to what I was told the last time I raised this as a Commencement matter last year. That is the reality because of issues such as public consultation, design, applying for planning permission, possible legal challenges and court cases, the appointment of contractors, construction and commissioning. That is the timescale for major works. There are good programmes in place for minor works and I certainly hope that we can look at building coastal defence works in areas along the coast in Oranmore, where there was a breach of the sea wall. That could include some rock armour as well as other initiatives that might be able to protect other areas in Clarinbridge and elsewhere.

Again, I commend all of those involved in assisting with the Government response, including the local authority, the fire brigade, and first responders, in what was a difficult few days.