The Government will see today that the effects of Storm Babet are being broadcast and a case study that has been carried out involving scientists with specialist skills in the areas of flood mapping. The study showed that the event that happened in Midleton is now twice as likely due to the current global temperature as it was in pre-industrial times. The reason I raise this matter is that we urgently need to see the advancement of the Midleton flood relief scheme, including using everything available to the State to push this project on, including the Arterial Drainage Act. Will the Government give a commitment here that it will look at this as a project that needs to be advanced as a matter of urgency to protect Midleton in the future? The study showed that, because of low tide, the damage was much less than what could have been the case although there were still almost 700 homes and businesses flooded and catastrophic damage caused. This shows why there is that level of urgency around getting the Midleton flood relief scheme going.

The Deputy has raised a fair point. That evidence-based study and research is vital to inform future action but it also has to galvanise the public, more generally, and society in making sure that we can get these schemes through.

The OPW is funding two full-time staff for the Midleton flood relief scheme and will be bringing forward interim measures pending the scheme's completion. Significant progress, I am told, is being made with the design of the scheme and the next step is to commence work to achieving planning consent. That whole planning area is where we need to accelerate, given the emergency that this involves.

Midleton was part of the CFRAM programme. We have had flooding there in December 2015 and January 2016. The importance of getting this done as quickly as we possibly can is clear.