The programme for Government set out a plan to deal with the issue of flooding in many parts of the country and we all were delighted to see a budget of €460 million for that. As the Taoiseach will be aware, one can see in many parts of the country floods are beginning to rise again and there is a lot of worry among the people. This is the question I have for the Taoiseach. Before Christmas there was an announcement that a dredging programme for the River Shannon would commence. Can the Taoiseach give me any indication - perhaps Deputy Moran, behind the Taoiseach, can tell him - as to when that programme will commence because that is a major issue?

As the Deputy will be aware, we put together a high-level board at chief executive officer level two years ago in respect of the Shannon Basin and for the first time in 50 years progress was made with what might and could be done. The Minister of State, Deputy Canney, is working hard on this and I will get him to give Deputy Murphy an update on the locations, pinch point or otherwise, where action can be taken here. As the Deputy will also be aware, it is not a case of cleaning out the entire Shannon Basin. It is a slow-moving river and there are consequences. I will have the Minister of State, Deputy Canney, give Deputy Murphy an update.