Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

In 2012, there was extensive flooding in Glanmire in Cork. On the night of the flood, I was contacted by distraught residents who told me about the damage that was being done to their homes and their businesses. I travelled down on the night to find that there were no sandbags and there was no support from the Government. Water was rushing through people's doors, destroying their homes and their lives. I then drove to Cork City, where I went to a depot and got sandbags and travelled out to support the residents and do what I could, along with the fire brigade and council workers who were trying to save people's homes. That was in 2012. Those same homes in Glanmire and Meadowbrook are still not secure to this day, even though there was another announcement made in September 2020 about works being done, which was welcomed by Deputies from the area, who form part of the Government. They should not forget that for years, Glanmire has been promised flood protection works, namely, in 2012, 2015 and 2018. In 2018 here was an announcement of €8.5 million with work to start in 2019, which was delayed in 2019 for a year until 2020. In September 2020, we were told that the works would take place in 2021. It is not good enough. It is this Government, under Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, that has left Glanmire wide open to possible flooding. The people of Glamire are sick and tired of announcements and promises. They want the work done and they want it done now. Will the Minister of State to give a guarantee here today that the people of Glanmire will see that work completed before next year?

In 2010, the draft catchment flood risk management plan for Cork was published. This included work for Blackpool, which is one of the most historical areas of Cork City, but also, unfortunately, one of the areas most affected by flooding. As a councillor for the area, I witnessed numerous floods that have destroyed Blackpool over the years. For years, announcements have been made on the protection of Blackpool and the surrounding areas, but still, to this day, Blackpool is not protected, the flood protection measures have not been completed and we have heard the same old announcements for far too long.

I am sick and tired of reading and hearing about OPW reports on what will be done.

The neglect of Cork North-Central, one of the most historic constituencies in the State, by Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael has been shocking.

I thank the Rural Independent Group for tabling this motion. I welcome it because it is badly needed.

I wish to comment on flood insurance cover. I am dealing with residents, homeowners and business owners who have no cover. Yesterday, we heard about the large profits being made by insurance companies. In his contribution, the Minister of State touched on this issue but offered no solutions. Will he get insurance companies to provide cover for homeowners and businesses that do not have any currently? The Minister of State cited an entrepreneur in Cork, Ms Claire Nash, whose business was flooded in 2009 and 2014.

Flooding has been a major issue and we need action now. We are sick of promises and announcements. We want to be constructive and to see things done, but for far too long, areas like Glanmire, Blackpool and Cork city have taken the brunt of flooding. This situation is not good enough and needs to be stopped.

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