Michael McCarthy (Cork South West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I am grateful to the Ceann Comhairle for selecting this Topical Issue matter. While the Government has ring-fenced almost €13 million for flood defences in Skibbereen, many concerns have been raised locally about slippage in the planned schedule of works for the scheme. Last year, an estimated 59 mm of rain fell in the space of six hours between the hours of 6 p.m. on Thursday, 24 October and 2 a.m. on Friday, 25 October. It was a deluge that saw the black tarred roads of Skibbereen flowing like a river. Skibbereen has been inundated with flood waters many times over the years, especially in 2009. After the 2009 flood, which caused devastation to 200 businesses and residences, many people are now without flood cover and have no hope of getting it. Earlier this year, the previous Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works, the former Deputy Brian Hayes, visited Skibbereen. I attended a meeting with him with representatives from the locality and other public representatives. The then Minister of State said he realised the personal and economic impact of flooding. He assured locals: "The Government is absolutely committed to protecting the town and, when completed, the scheme will provide 200-year flood event protection to approximately 179 homes and 131 commercial properties."

Since it was first announced that Skibbereen needed a flood relief scheme, the project has been dogged by delay. Each of the phases of the scheme has been affected by a delay of three or four months. Work was originally due to begin in the second half of 2014 and was expected to be completed within 18 months. It was envisaged that the detailed design process would commence before the end of November 2013 and it was hoped to complete it and the process of procuring a civil works contractor around mid-2014. This would have allowed construction to commence in the third quarter of 2014 but this, alas, has not happened.

In reply to a parliamentary question I tabled in September, the Minister of State, Deputy Simon Harris, who is in the House, outlined the current position with regard to the Skibbereen flood relief scheme. He indicated that it was at the stage of procurement of civil works contractors and that contractors would be appointed after a two-stage process. The process was stated to be at the pre-qualification stage which would produce a shortlist of contractors to be invited to tender. The second stage of the process was expected to commence shortly and it was hoped that the OPW would be in a position to appoint contractors early in 2015. As each month passes, people are becoming increasingly frustrated and exceptionally concerned. Each month of slippage allows for more potential flooding, particularly at this time of year, with the consequent expense to residents and businesses. As a flooded community, the people of Skibbereen want the flood relief scheme back on track and work to commence as soon as possible. I accept that there is no quick-fix solution and that it will take time, but we need action and to see construction beginning.

The OPW must take seriously the near constant threat of flooding and the absolute devastation that would be caused in Skibbereen. I would be very grateful to the Minister of State for his personal attention and interest in advancing this flood relief scheme. I note that he is visiting Clonakilty on Monday, 15 December to launch the public consultation phase of the Clonakilty flood relief scheme. I call on him to visit Skibbereen also and meet the group I met recently in my constituency office in Dunmanway. They are between the devil and the deep blue sea, if the Minister of State will excuse the pun. If anything happens in the current climate, it will mean utter devastation. Defence works have not started and people do not have flood cover. It is an horrendous situation and I ask the Minister of State to give it his personal attention.

See this speech in context