Alliance Regional Development spokesperson Stewart Dickson MLA has brought the Regional Development to the floor of the Assembly to answer questions on the flooding across Northern Ireland last week.

Mr Dickson tabled an urgent oral question that the Minister has been forced to answer in the Assembly chamber. There were no plans by the DRD Minister to come to the Assembly before Mr Dickson tabled his question.

Mr Dickson MLA said: "I am disappointed that I had to take action to force the Regional Development Minister to answer questions in the Assembly today on the flooding that affected so many people last week.

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"The response of the Government agencies to the flooding that affected so many homes and businesses last week was a shambles. There was a complete lack of co-ordination between the different Departments and Agencies who have a responsibility for combating flooding.

"I am fed up that nearly 14 and a half years since the end of Direct Rule, we have seen no action to ensure that our water system is fit for purpose for the 21st century.

"Last week, we saw the consequences of a lack of investment in our water system, and I fear that there will be more flooding in the future is we maintain the status quo.

"We need to get serious and face up the fact that we need to make the tough decisions about how we pay for our water to avoid a repeat of last week."

(CD/GK)