Flood Prevention Measures
Seanad Éireann — 2026-10-01
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Kevin Boxer Moran (IND), Longford-Westmeath

I thank the Senator and he is right. Only a few months ago, I was here in the Seanad giving an update on flooding throughout the whole country. I heard the pain from every Senator who spoke in relation to that and on that basis, I made changes to the minor works scheme. Senators, no more than TDs, need to go to the local authorities and work with them to drive on the schemes. The money is there. I made the changes to allow them to deliver on the schemes.
Regarding Inver, my people have been engaging with the people I met that day and, in particular, with the local authority. They are all ready to go and start that project. There was a shortfall in the funding but I made that money available today.
On Killybegs, I feel the pain of people up and down the country but especially in Killybegs. I danced with the people on the street that day and I gave a firm commitment. On that firm commitment, my people, following Senator Boyle's request a week and a half ago, have engaged with the local authority. I make no bones about the fact that I have no sympathy for any local authority because the money is there. I want it to come in for the scheme. In the case of Killybegs, and to be fair to the local authority, it is working on a design solution and said it would be back to my Department in the next couple of weeks. Senator Boyle says that we had a fine summer but there is only a certain window in which we can do this work. That window has now started, so I would like to see Inver and Killybegs progressing. When Killybegs flooded in 2024, the Senator came to me and I secured and provided funding. I will do the same in relation to the middle of the town as well. I gave a commitment to the people and to Senator Boyle and I want to deliver on that.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/seanad/2026-10-01/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-10-05T01:01:00+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-10-01