It was grouped with Question No. 22 but that question was not actually taken.

The Deputy may have a last word.

My question is specific. I am asking for the status of the flood relief works that have huge significance and importance for Galway city generally and particularly for the residential and business areas such as in the Claddagh, where I live, Salthill, the Long Walk, Spanish Arch, Eglinton Canal and Merchants Road. Those areas have experienced serious flooding. I am asking for an update on the status of the works because this is significantly important for Galway and we need to ensure there are no delays.

I have tabled previous questions and I will continue to do so because this is of such vital importance to the city. I do not disagree that this is to process, design and deliver a viable, cost-effective and environmentally sustainable flood relief scheme. Nobody would argue with that. However, my difficulty with this is in terms of some of the comments that have been made, including by the Minister of State, who is not here, in regard to the term "objectors". In my experience of local politics, I have no difficulty…

It is not me noting this; it was reported on the website that the consultation had low numbers. If we have learned anything about residents' concerns, it is to take them seriously and to have a forum where they are heard and to work with them. We cannot have delays with this. On the other hand, there has to be balance with what we are dealing with, which is the Eglinton Canal and the Claddagh basin that have been there since 1852 when the canal was opened by Lord Eglinton. It is of particular heritage significance,…

They are called objections.

Baineann mo cheist le heaspa seirbhísí faoisimh ar an talamh i nGaillimh agus fulaingt na gcúramóirí dá bharr. I am delighted the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, is here. Perhaps "delighted" is not the right word. I am once again obliged to raise the absence of respite services in Galway. I hope I do not get an answer about the hundreds of thousands of hours being provided. I acknowledge that, but what is happening here in Galway might be different from the rest of the country. A message from one person says th…

Please allow the Minister to respond.

It is the Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2022.

From the Rural Independent Group, I call Deputy Michael Collins, who is sharing time with Deputy Mattie McGrath.

I remind the Deputy that this is the Judicial Appointments Commission Bill.

I know the Deputy is doing his best to make it relevant but it eludes me.

I have great respect for Deputy Mattie McGrath but I do not agree with him that this is toothless, fruitless and useless. In fact, I welcome the Bill and the amount of work the Department and the Minister have put into it. I often criticise written speeches but I will not on this occasion. It was succinct and to the point. Of course, it does not deal with the issue of the Attorney General or the thorny question of the concerns raised in that regard, but it deals with the matters it deals with. It talks about fundam…

I wish to advise the House of the following matters in respect of which notice has been given under Standing Order 37 and the name of the Member in each case: (1) Deputies John Lahart, Jim O'Callaghan - to discuss combatting violence in Dublin City centre; (2) Deputy John McGuinness - to discuss the need for the Department of Agriculture to release all files/reports details supplied) relative to investigations on a farm; (3) Deputy Holly Cairns - to discuss the unwillingness of HSE children's disability service man…

Is there a copy of the Minister of State’s response?

The Deputy gained additional time from a malfunctioning clock.

It might be helpful to point out that Topical Issue matter No. 4 will not be proceeding. The third Topical Issue matter in ainm an Teachta Buckley to discuss the lack of short-term and long-term respite services in east Cork will be the final matter for today.

I thank the Minister of State.

We are a little ahead of time so I will suspend for a few minutes.

I apologise for the interruption. We will now go back to two speakers from the Rural Independent Group.