Jerry Cowley (Mayo, Independent)

The flooding that occurred last Sunday in Crossmolina should never have happened. I downloaded a document from the OPW website entitled, Extreme Flood Events — The Irish Experience. It lists several areas which are notable for flooding and provides a detailed analysis of these rivers flooding. They include the River Dodder, the River Lee, the River Brosna, the River Clare, the River Griffeen and the River Deel in Crossmolina.

How was it that the River Deel could flood again? The damage caused when it flooded in 1989 came to several hundred thousand punts. The damage last weekend is estimated at more than €100 million. Up to 20 houses were flooded up to a depth of three feet. Even the priest's house was flooded and Sunday mass was cancelled for the first time. The Minister saw on the television news an interview with a man who has a carpet showroom in which the stock was destroyed causing at least €200,000 worth of damage. That is a terrible situation which, based on the events of 1989, should not have happened.

People have recently raised concerns about the flooding of the pedestrian walkway in the town. That should have been sufficient warning that something needed to be done. Although the flood was predictable and inevitable, there were no sandbags available. It is only a matter of time before another flood occurs. There is no provision for a flash flood, as there is in Dublin, where the citizens will be well looked after. We saw the Taoiseach in his wellington boots in Dublin but we did not see him in Mayo. There is an urgent need for a hydrological survey of the system to identify what needs to be done. It is obvious what needs to be done and the Office of Public Works has a major responsibility to resolve this matter.

I call for a fund to be established to compensate the affected people of Crossmolina for the damage to their premises, the loss of their livelihoods and the destruction of their businesses. How many times must this happen before it is resolved? This financial package should not be delayed. There must be more than words from the Minister. There should be an immediate assessment by the OPW followed by a quick payout to those in great need. I implore the House to ensure that this never happens again.

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