19. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Taoiseach for an update on the programme for Government. [7328/26]

Sentiment score: 0.00

We are all conscious that parts of the country have been gripped with anxiety this week and last week in relation to heavy rainfall and risk of flooding. So far, east Cork has been spared this time around but what we are left with is an eerie calm because we know we may not be so fortunate next week, next month or next year. There is a commitment in the programme for Government to streamlining and delivering flood relief schemes. The large-scale project for Midleton is extremely overdue at this point but it is at least edging towards a planning application. Meanwhile, the villages that were struck by Storm Babet in October 2023 remain entirely in limbo. There is no clarity on when works will begin to protect Mogeely, Killeagh, Castlemartyr, Rathcormack, Lady's Bridge or Whitegate. Some €107,000 was recently allocated to Whitegate but that was only to appoint a specialist to survey possible works. It will not fund any actual works, over two years on from Storm Babet. The residents of these villages are sick and tired of waiting and fighting for flood protection. When will we see a timeline for these works in Mogeely, Rathcormack, Killeagh, Castlemartyr, Lady's Bridge and Whitegate?

Sentiment score: 0.04