Michael Collins (Cork South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The witnesses are very welcome to the committee. I represent the constituency of Cork South-West, which knows plenty about flooding. There are many very successful schemes under way and currently planned in Bandon, Clonakilty and Skibbereen. I have heard many of the issues raised by the witnesses discussed on the airwaves. While it does not affect my constituency, it is of interest to me because it affects Cork. Have the witnesses tried to thrash out some or all of the issues with the OPW? Public consultation is one thing but round-table discussions might be able to resolve some of the issues. It might be gone beyond that stage, although I hope it has not because the biggest priority everyone must be aware of is that of saving people's homes and businesses.

My constituency is very prone to flooding. Homes were destroyed by flooding in Ballylickey, which is between Bantry and Kealkill. I have been involved in politics as a councillor and subsequently a Deputy for approximately three and a half years and I cannot convince the powers that be to put a machine into the river in Ballylickey to clean it out. An elderly resident was one of several from that area to ring me on Sunday evening because they were terrified that the storm was going to cause a tidal surge and destroy their homes. In fairness to the local authority, it supplied residents with sandbags. However, it would be very simple to rectify the issue. It is scandalous and a failure for me as a public representative to talk about that solution for three and a half years when I would rather shut up, face the fines and put the bloody machine in there myself, as I had to do elsewhere previously. We should put the bloody machine in there, clean out the rivers and stop messing with people's lives. We should clean out the river and save people's homes instead of talking about pearl mussels and flies and bees and this and that.

That is where they need to start. It needs a common sense approach. I have listened to every excuse as to why this will not happen for another year or two, and let the elderly people suffer, let their homes be flooded to 5ft or 6ft. It is scandalous beyond belief. I acknowledge Deputies Canney and Moran's efforts as Ministers of State in this area. Deputy Moran visited those areas with me two months ago. We went into people's homes at 10 p.m. I am sure not many other Ministers would do the like. He saw the situation at first hand along the Ballylickey line and Castletownbere where there are serious issues.

Is there any hope of the witnesses sitting down together to try to sort this out? It is a major issue for them. I am not the expert and I not making any judgment. I can sympathise with what they are saying and I know they are speaking for the greater good of Cork but these experts also say it is for the greater good of Cork. We cannot be the referee. I would like the two parties to sit down together to try to sort it out. As they said no decision has been made and on that basis there is time for negotiation.