Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

In November 2011, the Government allocated up to €10 million for flood damage. By May 2012, only €760,000 had been spent. That is a disgrace, particularly in the context of businesses that cannot take out flood insurance. The Government parties can make all the announcements they like but the money does not get to the people.

The Minister of State, Deputy Brian Hayes, needs to be sure about the funding announcements he makes. He said he would allocate €50 million to Cork city. The council says it will cost €100 million to implement flood prevention measures. People are ruling out flood barriers but nothing should be ruled out. The studies should be completed as quickly as possible. Once good flood prevention mechanisms are put in place, they can last a lifetime and save billions of euro. That is the mindset with which we should approach this issue. We should do what is right. The €100 million estimate for Cork city does not cover Douglas, Blackpool and Blackrock. The city council believes €100 million is required to protect the city centre alone and that would cover the quay walls and so on.

However, the problem is the Government has starved councils of funding in the very year they need it. Approximately 80% of the property tax yield or €450 million was taken from them. Why is the Minister nodding his head?

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