Flooding in Cork last November

Local Fine Gael TD Deirdre Clune raised the issue of the Government’s willingness to fund flood defences for Cork City as set out in the Lee Catchment Flood Risk Assessment & Management Study with Minister Martin Mansergh in the Dáil.

Click here to view full debate.

Speaking during the debate Deputy Clune stated:
“This is the third time I have raised this issue on the Adjournment since September. Cork is vulnerable to floods. The river flooded in 1986, in November 2000 and in November 2002. There was tidal flooding in October 2004, the river flooded again in December 2006 and again in November 2009. The damage has been well highlighted, with the effect it had on major structures in Cork, with homes, the university, a hotel, the headquarters of Cork County Council extensively damaged.”

“This draft Lee CFRAMS report outlines protection schemes to ensure homes and businesses are protected. There should be flood forecasting systems combined with targeted flood awareness and education and optimisation of the Carrigadrohid and Inniscarra dams.”

“During the past week, it has often been stated that in excess of €100 million will be required. The known damage to UCC alone last November cost €30 million. Add to that the cost of the damage to the county hall, the Kingsley Hotel, which is still closed, and houses and properties in the area. The total bill has not been yet been totted up, but we are being told that the Government cannot find €100 million over a period to ensure that such damage is not inflicted again.”

Replying to the Cork T.D Minister Martin Mansergh with responsibility for the OPW said:
“At the launch of the draft plan this week, I highlighted some of the measures it sets out. They include works to increase the level of protection for Cork city against tidal flooding, works to protect the city and vulnerable properties upstream against river flooding – this will provide greater flexibility for the ESB to draw down levels in the Inniscarra and Carrigadrohid reservoirs in advance of a flood, reducing the need to discharge high flows necessary to ensure dam safety – flood protection schemes for Midleton, Baile Mhic Ire, Douglas and Togher, minor works funded by the OPW to reduce risk at Little Island and Crookstown, and the development and implementation of flood forecasting systems for river flooding as well as tidal flooding from the harbour. The OPW estimates that the capital cost of these measures will amount to approximately €30 million over the period 2010-15.”