People in Bunclody, Enniscorthy, Aughrim and Arklow are still trying to pick up their lives after the recent floods. The cameras have gone, the spotlight has moved on, and the Minister and the Taoiseach have arrived to tell the people the money is there, these things take time and there is no magic wand. I think people in Wicklow-Wexford know that. They have been waiting for decades while the Government did nothing. Little attention has been paid to Bunclody. Enniscorthy has flooded 16 times since 2001, and going back as far as 1924. Arklow has had six major floods since 2000. The Arklow flood relief scheme has been talked about for four decades, so when the Taoiseach says these things take time, it really infuriates people. The Arklow scheme was originally supposed to cost €28 million but it is now estimated to be €57 million after years of delays and redesigns. We heard from the chair of the Committee of Public Accounts, Wicklow TD, John Brady, that millions of euro allocated for the national flood forecasting warning service were handed back, with €13.5 million handed back out of €19 million. That is absolutely crazy. Yet the Minister, Deputy Browne, was quick to point the finger of blame last week regarding where this money could have been invested in proper forecasting and warning systems. Deputy Brady also brought in the Flood Insurance Bill 2021. This Bill needs to be pushed immediately. Flood relief schemes are planned for Arklow, Aughrim and Enniscorthy but there is little or nothing for Bunclody. These schemes need to be moved on and progressed straightaway. People in Wicklow-Wexford are hoping and praying they will not have more storms while the Government dithers and has photo ops but takes little meaningful action. I ask the Government to please get on with these schemes now because people cannot wait any longer.

Sentiment score: -0.03