The recent flooding experience in Cork and Waterford was absolutely horrendous and the impact will be felt for a long time to come. That displacement from home, that destruction of property, the loss of livelihood and the fear of what the future looks like takes an unimaginable toll on people. Those affected by the recurring nightmare of flooding along the River Shannon, those who farm from Athlone to Meelick, know only too well of that impact. They have experienced it repeatedly and they are living with the consequences of it still today. I want to reiterate their plight to the Taoiseach. They have no silage and no grazing due to continuous summer flooding, and this has been increased by the lack of action between the three Government agencies: the OPW, Waterways Ireland and the ESB. I understand that again this morning the Taoiseach has been invited to come down to this area to see the impact still being experienced today caused by summer flooding. Will the Taoiseach come down and meet the Save Our Shannon group? Will he outline to them the plans the Government has to address this?

I have not seen that invitation but as is the case with all invitations that come in, I will give it consideration. It will not be soon; I will be in Brussels for the next two days and out of the country next week but I will certainly take up the invitation and reply to it.