Once again, I call for a debate on the need to introduce time limits for An Bord Pleanála decisions. This is very pressing, none more so than for the people living in east Galway who have been subjected to such an unmitigated disaster in recent days with the flooding. It is clear that families' lives are being destroyed along the Dunkellin river and the Aggard stream all because we are awaiting a decision on planning for flood relief works to be carried out on the rivers. I visited Craughwell and Athenry in recent days and met families affected by flooding. I am dismayed at what they have gone through. Pensioners had to be saved and transported from their homes by fire and rescue services, four-wheel drives and buses. It is the second time in six years that they have been rendered homeless because of flooding.

The Government has had five years in which to do something and it has done nothing.

It is wrong and unacceptable. I was told the last time the Dunkellin river-----

The Government had five years in which to do it.

I ask the Senator to allow me to finish my contribution.

Senator Lorraine Higgins should be allowed to speak without interruption.

This is a very serious issue and I would like to finish my contribution.

Absolutely, yes.

The Dunkellin river was dredged in 1907 by the British Government. That is the last time it was dredged. Frankly, that is ridiculous.

Who is representing the area?

If we do not dredge it quickly, we will contribute to bigger flooding issues in the future. The situation is much the same in the case of the River Clarin in Athenry which burst its banks for the same reason and destroyed several homes in the Caheroyan area.

While I have no intention of interfering with the planning process, I call for a little bit of reality to attach to proposals to deal with flooding in south Galway. We must focus on families who are enduring extraordinary hardship and will not be in their homes for Christmas because of environmental concerns. They are all very well and good, but when one sees big companies throughout this country, elsewhere in Europe and around the world which use a carrot and stick approach to offset their pollution distribution, why can we not have the same for people living along rivers and let environmental considerations take second place? Not only would that help to resolve issues related to flooding, it would also safeguard people's basic human right to safety in their homes.

The Government had five years in which to address the issue.

We need flesh on the bones of commitment when it comes to providing flood relief. The time for talking is over. We need decisions. We need a legislative timeframe within which decisions from An Bord Pleanála will be delivered. That is the only way we can bind them in order that the people of east Galway will not have to wait an eternity for decisions which are affecting their lives in such a catastrophic way. On that basis, I call for a debate on the matter.