David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)

I thank the Ceann Comhairle's office and the Leas-Cheann Comhairle for this opportunity. I also thank the staff of the House and the Minister of State for staying late to hear what I have to say.

I do not know whether the Minister of State has been in the town of Cobh. If not, I invite him to visit. The town is built on a series of hills and, consequently, is susceptible to landslides. In the past 25 years, the town council has raised with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the potential danger to human life caused by landslides. To be fair, the Department has provided funding to Cobh Town Council to repair damage caused by landslides and to carry out works to stabilise slopes. While these substantial and recent works were funded 100% by the Department, a number of areas continue to give rise to concern.

In 2005, JODA Engineering Consultants prepared a report outlining some of the areas where it was believed that further work was necessary. The report has been forwarded to the Department's officials. The town council understands that the opinion of the Department is that a full review of the landslide programme must be carried out before further funding can be sanctioned by the Department of Finance. While the council has no difficulties with a review of that nature, serious concerns have been expressed that it may give rise to a delay in dealing with the issues raised in the JODA report. The report identifies a number of locations where work is urgently needed, including Harbour Terrace, Harbour Road, Connolly Street and a number of smaller projects. Many of the necessary works have been costed and requests for sanction to carry them out have been submitted to the Department.

Since the report's completion, two further areas have experienced landslides. On 18 November, a serious landslide occurred on West View, resulting in the closure of the public road. JODA has reported to the council regarding the danger of further landslides with the potential to affect the safety of persons and property, including a number of houses. The council has also been advised of a rockfall on the grounds of Belview national school, giving rise to concerns about the safety of the children attending the school. It should be noted that neither West View nor Belview was prioritised by JODA in its report.

On foot of representations by concerned residents, members of Cobh Town Council have consistently raised this issue at council meetings. Councillor Paddy Whitty rang me this morning as I made my way here. Councillors are aware that a landslide in 1980 resulted in the tragic death of a child and are concerned that a similar occurrence is possible.

I do not know what is in the Minister of State's prepared script, but I ask that he take the matter seriously and ask the Department's officials to examine the case of Cobh. Having heard what I have said, he would agree that the matter needs urgent attention before a serious landslide resulting in injury or death occurs. We want to avoid such a situation if possible. Owing to the recent heavy rains, the issue is even more urgent because they can lead to further landslides, as the Minister of State knows. We have experienced tragedies in the past and I ask the Minister of State to use his good offices to prioritise this issue.

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