‘Danger!   Water ahead!”

A light remark made by the late Deputy T. F. O'Higgins, who represented Laoighis-Offaly with great distinction, that brought a bit of levity to that debate, was remembered by the Taoiseach in the Dail during statements on the flooding crisis.

“The late Deputy described how the river in Offaly had changed course and was now flowing down the road between Kinnitty and Kilcormac,” he said. “He said that the young children were fishing on the public road and the only action taken at the time was ‘the erection of a notice by the county council saying: 'Danger! Water ahead'.

The Taoiseach said we like to be different here, working with both communities and agencies to provide protection for people, for their homes, for their businesses and for their agricultural investments. “It may mean some voluntary relocation in a small number of cases and it may mean a scheme to shift some agricultural sheds and dairies in areas that are prone to flooding in the future,” he said. “It is a serious debate and I look forward to the constructive suggestions of the Deputies.