My hometown of Enniscorthy is in a state of devastation. The people on Island Road on the quays of the River Slaney have experienced awful destruction and major damage to their homes and businesses. This is not the first time; it has happened 16 times since 2000. How can this be allowed to go on for decades? The town needs help and it needs it now. I know the Minister and the Taoiseach visited the town, and I thank the Minister for that, but people are sick to their stomach with statements, promises and platitudes. Granted, remedial works have been promised and plans are being prepared, but why does it take a major catastrophe for anything to happen in this country? Under the Arterial Drainage Act 1945, the Minister has the legal authority to approve a flood relief scheme, even if planning permission was previously refused, provided environmental safeguards are met. An example of this only happened this week with the Government willing to legislate to override planning constraints at Dublin Airport. If the Government can intervene using the powers it already has, then it can intervene in the planning for the flood relief scheme in Enniscorthy, County Wexford. In fact, it is a legal obligation under the 1945 Act to protect communities once a workable environmental compliance scheme is ready. Surely, the freshwater pearl mussel that was the main issue with the scheme in the first place can be translocated, just like the Dublin Bay oyster. I am pleading with the Minister to act now. Under section 7 of the Arterial Drainage Act, he can approve flood relief works independently of the planning system. It is time to deliver for the people of Wexford and my hometown of Enniscorthy. They have had enough. They have been left behind, but no more. In the past, the political will dissipated as soon as the water subsided. This time, the people will rise up and be counted. They will not accept another decade of fear and panic every time there is heavy rainfall. I again ask that the Minister use his power to expedite the flood relief system for the proud and beautiful town of Enniscorthy.

Sentiment score: 0.04