John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I listened with intent to the Minister of State's response. Clearly, the local authority has identified this as an area of grave concern. While there was some limited flooding in the area during Storm Ophelia, there are commercial and residential properties in it that are at risk of serious flooding. There are several problems, one of which is the fact that the current structures are being continuously undermined by wave action and storms. I am a firm believer that a stitch in time saves nine. Unless immediate action is taken to carry out remedial works on the existing structures, we will be dealing with a much more costly flood protection scheme in the future. We will be looking at completely replacing what is there already, as well as enhancing the flood protection measures.

The Minister of State has outlined the procedures that need to be followed, but I fear that the process involved will be lengthy. Three applications have been submitted by the local authority, but at no point was it outlined to it that the applications were inappropriate and that it would be better off taking an alternative route. It was only after the third application was submitted and deemed to be unsuccessful that some progress was made. I know that the engineer is dealing extensively with an official from the Office of Public Works and that the council is willing to go down that route, especially as every other door has been closed in its face.

This is a critical issue for the people of County Wicklow and Arklow, in particular. It is not good enough to simply repair what is there or increase the height of the existing flood protection mechanisms. We need implementation of the second phase, which is the critical element. A sticking plaster approach is not going to work. Returning the flood defence system to its previous state will not work either. The second phase needs to be looked at again. We need to determine what is financially viable and would be most cost-effective. Essentially, the second phase needs to be progressed. We need a natural replenishment of the beach area in front of the flood protection measures in place. That would give the best form of natural defence. I hope work can begin quickly in terms of the further analysis needed and the submission of a new application to the Department. However, we do not need that application to gather dust on a shelf like all of the other reports and applications submitted, particularly from the Arklow area.

I spoke about the Avoca river and the need for flood protection measures. That has been ongoing for decades and it is only now a little bit of work is being undertaken. Unfortunately, people in Arklow know only too well what it means to be at the end of a very lengthy list. I hope the Minister of State can give assurances to the people of County Wicklow and Arklow, in particular, that the Government is serious and that there will be funding for the next phase of works to be carried out by the council. We do not need to see any more resources being wasted. We do not want to see a further waste of manpower in submitting more applications that will ultimately be rejected and thrown back at the local authority.

See this speech in context