Michael Collins (Cork South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Over the past two weeks, the beautiful constituency of Cork South-West has seen devastation due to severe flooding which has destroyed businesses, private homes and people's property. The people of Rathbarry, Rosscarbery, Connonagh, Leap, Skibbereen, Bandon, Dunmanway and Bantry have experienced flooding beyond belief. Businesses such as the Eldon Hotel in Skibbereen, Wiseman's shop in Bantry and Con Linehan's clothes shop in Bandon are just a few that I can mention which had substantial losses due to these floods.

On this shocking night Lucey's Bar, the Anchor Bar, the Cosy Cabin in Bantry, as well as Cahalane's in Skibbereen opened their doors for the first time in almost six months but this was just to let flood water and muck out of their ruined premises. I spent hours in Bantry on the night of the floods and saw the sheer agony on people's faces. There were neighbours helping neighbours to try to save what was left of their businesses and homes. One lady told me that her business was closed for 12 weeks due to Covid-19. They had just reopened and she asked me to look at her stock. It was swimming around, which I could clearly see as my knee-high wellington boots filled with water. Private residences in Rosscarbery, Connonagh and Leap have also been ruined. This is simply due to rivers not being cleaned out. One house in Connonagh has been flooded three times in two weeks. The first flood was 5 ft high, the second time it was 12 in. high, and the third time it was 8 in. high.

The floods in each area have left dozens of unanswered questions. Much of this flooding could be avoided but common sense has gone out the window. Some 90% of flooding problems can be solved on the ground. I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Patrick O'Donovan, who came down to west Cork on three occasions during those two weeks, leaving his family while on their short break. He saw first hand the devastation and met with the powers that be who are now going to do all in their power so this would never happen again. It is a little too late for the property that has been destroyed. I also thank the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Michael McGrath, who came to west Cork on two occasions since the floods to meet with people in the affected area. My own group leader, Deputy Mattie McGrath, also came to west Cork over the weekend to look at the flooded areas. The Taoiseach came to Skibbereen to inspect the flooded area and the Tánaiste was spotted visiting the beauty spots of west Cork, as were many more politicians this summer.

I put it to the Minister, Deputy Ryan, that it is now more than two weeks since many people's premises were flooded and to date all they have got is a Red Cross humanitarian form, which has been extended to areas in west Cork such as Bandon, Bantry, Skibbereen and other places. No private residence can get funding from this fund. If one's business has insurance one will not get funds from this fund, even though many insurance policies have an excess of some €10,000. Also, if the insurance is drawn down once, the person may never get cover again. This is outrageous. These innocent people have had their lives destroyed and this Government stands idly by without a clear compensation package in place for the businesses and private residences of these areas so they can pick up the pieces to try to start again. Will the Minister answer a clear question? Has the Government discussed funding for these people in west Cork? If so, what kind of compensation package was discussed and when will the Government announce it?

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