Neasa Hourigan (Dublin Central, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I have a few examples but let us take Skibbereen. There was a significant flood there in 2009 when 120 homes were flooded. Then a major project was done in 2016. From what I can see the number quoted for the project was €18 million, although I notice in the numbers we have received today that it is €34.5 million. Then there was a significant flood in 2020. The original project was a 200-year flood prevention plan.

It was completed around 2018. That is two years before it flooded significantly again, so that is a 1% effectiveness. Judging from the OPW's own numbers today, we are talking about nearly double the cost now. I presume there are ongoing works. I am sure there is some kind of ratio calculation there about a 1% effectiveness versus a 200-year cost. In this case the flood project comprised 3 km of flood walls, 4 km of embankments and a number of storm water pumping stations. Obviously, most of that work was not effective in 2020. What happens in such cases?