During his recent visit to the community around Lough Funshinagh, the Tánaiste witnessed the devastating impact of rising water levels. These levels have exceeded all previous records. Without intervention, it is predicted that four homes will be lost to the floodwaters next winter. As he knows, in its most recent modelling, the Geological Survey of Ireland has confirmed this dire situation. Research published last week by World Weather Attribution indicates that increased winter rainfall driven by climate change will become more frequent. This exacerbates the risk to these four homes. Given this compelling evidence, I urge the Tánaiste to request an urgent re-evaluation by the Attorney General of the legal options available to protect these vulnerable homes in advance of next winter.

I thank the Deputy for raising the question. I visited the area and met with many residents. It is quite shocking what the residents in this area have gone through. It is an awful pity that the pipeline, which was 60% completed, was not enabled to go the full distance because a human disaster continues to unfold for the residents of that area. It was heart-rending to see.

Even as we walked there, the levels have not gone down in some areas. Everybody is afraid of next winter. The Deputy is correct in terms of the climate attribution study by the World Weather Attribution group. A key finding of the study is that it identified an increase of approximately 20% in rainfall intensities experienced during the period between October 2023 and March 2024. The big fear is that this is not a once-off anymore. There are, therefore, two issues. The council should proceed with the planning properly and get all the studies and keep doing that. That will not sort it out for this winter and, therefore, I will revert to the Attorney General in respect of legal advice around what can be done in the short term. However, I am clear that something has to happen in the short term in respect of this.