Joe Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)

I am glad of the opportunity to raise the matter of the urgent need for the early implementation of the flood relief programme for Fermoy, County Cork, which was approved following public consultation, and the urgent need for the provision of finance at an estimated cost of €24.4 million, especially given the substantial damage to business and residential property. Business and residential premises were badly flooded in the Brian Boru Square and Rathealy Road area of the town.

Flood relief plans, which were drawn up simultaneously for Mallow, have received the go-ahead. They will be implemented in the new year at a cost of €25 million. Both schemes were drafted at the same time and I call on the Minister of State to commence the Fermoy scheme. It would be better to implement it rather than compensate people for damage to their property.

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