Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Ba mhaith liom buíochas a ghabháil leis an Teachta Eugene Murphy as ucht an rún seo, a bhaineann le tuilte agus an gá atá ann déileáil le comhlachtaí árachais ionas go gcuirfidh siad clúdach árachais ar fáil, a chur os ár gcomhair.

The Minister of State visited Cork last Monday. I was struck by the first slide of the presentation in City Hall. It contained two pictures of Patrick Street taken from an almost identical angle. There was also almost an identical level of surface water in them but the Ford Cortinas had been replaced by Ford Mondeos. They were taken approximately 50 years apart, which is an illustration of how little has been done in Cork and of the neglect of flood defences throughout Ireland. It is something we have become familiar with in Cork over the past 15 to 20 years. The city centre is significantly affected by both tidal and alluvial flooding as are suburban areas. The 2009 flood was a significant event causing €100 million worth of damage to many businesses. There was a great deal of discussion at the time about the implications the flooding had for businesses on Oliver Plunkett Street, the South Mall and so on but it is sometimes forgotten that the flooding also affected some of the oldest residential communities in the city, including the Marsh, South Parish and Middle Parish. It caused a great deal of distress and concern.

The project that has been announced is welcome and I am glad the Government is prioritising it but the motion deals with insurance and it is vitally important that in advance of any project being delivered, the Government deals with the problems the insurance industry is presenting. We have previously debated the issues relating to motor insurance but there are also issues insuring domestic dwellings and businesses, even in terms of classification of areas. Douglas on the south side of Cork city was affected by a significant flooding event in 2009 but householders in extremely elevated neighbourhoods cannot get insurance because their address is in Douglas, despite the fact that we would all be in major trouble if these neighbourhoods were flooded. The design of the Cork project will be crucial in preserving the central role the River Lee has in the life of the city and consultation with the community is necessary in that regard. Action is also needed on suburban projects because some suburbs have been as badly affected as the city centre. That tale is sometimes forgotten. Flood relief schemes are needed in Blackpool, Douglas, Togher and Curraheen. I wrote to the Minister of State about them recently and I hope he will have an opportunity to respond soon. The schemes were all part of the wider River Lee catchment study. If they are not dealt with in tandem with the larger project, these localities will continue to experience significant flooding problems. There was a major flood in Douglas and Togher again in 2012 causing significant damage. Those schemes are behind schedule. They were due to go to detailed design earlier this year but we are a long way from preferred option at this stage. They need to be prioritised and I look forward to hearing from the Minister of State in that regard.

I will support the motion but Deputy Cullinane is correct. These discussions need to be had at budget time when capital investment is provided. This is an investment for the future of our economy.

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