Jerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will begin by commending the people who worked in the aftermath of the storms and flooding. In particular, we should remember the late Micheál Ó Riordáin who died in West Cork in the aftermath of the storms. Public servants working for Eircom, the ESB and other bodies have an incredible commitment. We must commend the work of ESB staff in restoring power.

The flooding in Cork has again devastated many businesses and homes in the heart of our city. Regrettably, the reaction to the 2009 floods in Cork did not prioritise a long-term plan to protect our city. While criticism of the length of time it is taking to implement a flood defence scheme is legitimate, it is also important to understand that the flood situation in Cork is not straightforward. Progressing a scheme for the city involves complex and detailed preparations to ensure that the best possible long-term solution is found.

I want to say in a non-partisan way that the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Hayes, has engaged not just with Members of the Oireachtas but also with city and county council officials. I commend him on that. Because of him, progress is being made. On 6 February, he visited Cork and met with the lord mayor, councillors, the city manager and local business representatives. The Minister of State said that up to €100 million will be made available to carry out flood protection work for Cork. I welcome that announcement. He also stated that a possible starting date for the three-year project will be in 2015. In the meantime, a forum between the OPW, city council and local businesses is being set up to explore interim measures that can help to alleviate the problem. It is a pity that it will take three years to get this done but I welcome the Minister of State's initiative and his commitment to the project.

Last April, the OPW appointed Arup Engineers to develop proposals based on the 2006 catchment flood risk assessment and management, or CFRAM, study for the River Lee catchment. The main objectives of this work include a flood forecasting system to facilitate optimum decision-making on dam discharges; and a viable, cost-effective and sustainable scheme to provide protection along the lower Lee and through Cork city against residual fluvial flooding and flooding from high tides and surge levels. Those matters are very important in the context of Cork city.

Last July, Arup held a public information day to outline the study and the process involved in developing the plan. It is intended to bring the emerging preferred scheme before the public this summer at a public information day. Following this the scheme will be further refined, an environmental impact assessment will be completed, and a formal public exhibition will commence towards the end of the year.

It is expected that this scheme will be the largest flood relief scheme ever undertaken by the OPW, costing between €50 million and €100 million. That is why I welcome the public consultation and the long lead-in time. Given the substantial investment required, work can only commence when the right solution is found for the city of Cork. Traders and homeowners require nothing less.

Apart from the proposed scheme for the central city area, studies are also being advanced for Douglas and Togher. A flood relief scheme for Douglas and Togher is currently being advanced by Cork County Council with funding to be provided by the Office of Public Works. I commend the city and county officials and workers on their diligence and commitment in the aftermath of the recent flooding and storms.

Cork County Council has signed a contract for consultants in the last two weeks to take on the development of a flood relief scheme for Douglas and Togher. That is an important step, which I welcome. I hope that these proposals will be brought forward for public consultation before the end of this year. The OPW has made provision for the costs of these schemes in its multiannual budgets, with funding to be reviewed from time to time depending on actual budget allocations.

The flooding incidents in Cork are unfortunately not the first the city has experienced. We have seen them in areas such as the Middle Parish, Douglas and Togher where people have had to evacuate their homes. In addition, businesses have been interrupted and in some cases never reopened.

We need to see a faster, more efficient response time for businesses and homeowners because of the costs to them and to the State. It is now seven years since submissions were sought for the River Lee catchment flood risk assessment and management, CFRAM, study, and that is too long. The protection of Cork from flood events must be prioritised. I am glad that it will be under the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Hayes, because we can never allow what happened in the past, when Cork was neglected from 2009 until now, to recur. The fear and the uncertainty of homeowners and business people cannot be allowed to continue.

Members of the House can cast their minds back to 2009 and the floods in the middle of Cork city, the oldest part of it. We have not yet seen the protection of these people being prioritised. We accept that the city was built on a marsh but today we have a duty of care to protect homeowners, families and city centre businesses. I am glad the Minister of State with responsibility for small and medium-sized enterprises, Deputy John Perry, who does so much work for small businesses, is in the Chamber because these businesses are the lifeblood of the local economy in Cork. Since then, flooding in Cork has cost an estimated €100 million, but the city remains exposed. Businesses remain at risk and homes remain vulnerable. Our task must be to alleviate the uncertainty, heartache and tension in the lives of many people. I have met homeowners and business people who tell me that their hearts sink when they see the water level rising and flood warnings for Cork. We cannot let that continue. I am glad the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Hayes, has made this a priority.

It is no wonder people become frustrated and disenchanted with politics and bureaucracy when, five years after the flood in 2009, we are only now getting to the end of the process. The president of Cork Chamber of Commerce, Ms Gillian Keating, voiced the frustration of many businesses on local radio. She spoke about the lack of action and the frustration of business people. I do not blame business people for speaking out. The protection of the country's second city must be prioritised. No economy can thrive when its business centre is subject to persistent and regular flooding. The people of Cork need the remedial works to be prioritised and they demand it. They must finally be given some hope that a long-term solution will be delivered, not promised.

I welcome the engagement by the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Hayes, with local business leaders, council officials and local councillors. I am pleased that, at long last, we have a Minister of State with responsibility for flood protection measures who recognises the importance of the Cork economy and that local homeowners deserve certainty. The Minister of State and the Government have given a commitment to invest in alleviation measures that will provide robust, long-term protection for the city. It is good for Cork, good for Cork businesses, good for residents and good for our national economy that the second city is open for business.

While the development of the scheme must be prioritised and fast-tracked where possible, there must also be an immediate focus on interim measures. The local forum involving the OPW must play a central role in delivering adequate interim protection. This body must get to work as soon as possible and without delay to provide ongoing assistance to those most at risk in Cork city, whether in Blackpool, Douglas or Togher, and, in particular, in the middle of Cork city. This is about the people of Cork, the city of Cork and about Cork city being open for business. It is also about job creation and job retention. I appeal to all to engage in the process by making submissions. Let us expedite the situation so that we can end uncertainty and take away the fear people experience when they see a flood warning for Cork. That is our task and our duty, irrespective of who we are. I want to see that happen and I hope that if the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Hayes, goes to Europe as an MEP, the new Minister of State will prioritise the city of Cork and the people of Cork.

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