Labour Deputy for Dublin Bay North, Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, has said that the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) agreed between the Office of Public Works and Insurance Ireland is an important first step, but has urged the inclusion of rivers in the North side of Dublin.

"It is welcome that the Office of Public Works and Insurance Ireland have been able to reach agreement on the sharing of information regarding the flood defence programmes that have been put in place across the country, including those along the Dodder and the Tolka Rivers in Dublin.

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"However, the limited number of rivers included in the memorandum will be of particular concern to residents in my constituency.

"While the stated aim of this memorandum is laudable, many constituents of mine are still left vulnerable by a matrix of underground rivers that run across the north side of Dublin, including the Naniken and the Wad.

"Both these rivers have caused extensive flooding damage to residents in Donnycarney and Artane, and their absence from inclusion in this memorandum is deeply disappointing.

"Vulnerable home owners who are unfortunate enough to be left without flood insurance are victims in a bureaucratic war. These residents require the same understanding from Insurance Ireland in protecting their homes as all of those affected by the rivers covered in today's announcement."

(CD/JP)