Jerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)

I welcome the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Hogan, to the House. As he is aware, in the early hours of last Thursday morning the village of Douglas, Cork, was devastated by uncharacteristic flooding. In the area around St. Columba's Terrace and St. Patrick's Terrace, a nice row of houses and a new shopping centre were submerged in water and destroyed.

My main question is about a culvert in Douglas village put in place last summer by Cork County Council at significant cost. Did the culvert work? If it did, why was there flooding? If it did not work, why? Should the culvert's grate be moved? Is there a need for a hydraulic lift to be put in place on the gate? Many questions arise over this culvert as water overflowed from it and caused devastation. This has become a significant issue to residents and local businesspeople in Douglas. I visited residents in St. Columba's Terrace who have lived there all their lives and never experienced such flooding. It is not about the amount of water that fell; it is about the devastation and cause. An explanation needs to be given by Cork County Council as to what happened with this culvert and its operation.

It is equally important the insurance industry works with small enterprises based in the new Douglas shopping centre. They are already paying high rents and are struggling to keep going. Both home owners and business people need answers. I know the Government has not been found wanting so far. However, the long-term issue in this case is the role played by a culvert in the recent flooding in Douglas village.

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