I have a question for the Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works, Deputy Boxer Moran, concerning the limbo in which many watercourses and rivers are in as a result of not being either the responsibility of the OPW, under the Arterial Drainage Acts, or of county councils. It is a particular issue in Inishowen where significant damage was done to rivers and watercourses as a result of the August 2017 flooding. Will the Minister of State provide an update on any plans he and the Government have for introducing a specific body which will work with landowners to take responsibility and assist them in maintaining rivers and watercourses? Is something we can expect from the Government in the near future?

I believe the Deputy is aware that one of his colleagues, along with the Minister Deputy Humphreys, has asked me to chair a meeting in the Deputy’s neck of woods on the subject of the question he put to me. I have agreed to that. As soon as we get a date for that meeting, I will him know and we will work together to see how we can solve this issue.