David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Midleton town and other parts of east Cork have experienced utter devastation over the past while. I have never seen the likes of it. Hundreds of homes, businesses and roads were destroyed. The bridge in Water-rock and Moore’s bridge need to be replaced. Walls have been knocked down. In Gleann Fia, Mogeely, 30 houses were ruined. Killeagh, Youghal, Castlemartyr, Rathcormack and Midleton were affected. Estates in Midleton, including Willowbank, Tir Cluain, Beechwood, Banoge and Water-rock, were damaged, beyond repair in many instances.

I welcome the announcements today. I welcome the fact so many Ministers and the Taoiseach and Tánaiste came down so quickly but many things need to be discussed and addressed. The community spirit shown by the Garda, the Army, council workers, Civil Defence, the Coast Guard and locals was fantastic. The HSE was fantastic. This cannot happen again. That is why I call for the scheme to be expedited as much as possible. There is huge concern and worry the flooding might happen again and that cannot be allowed.

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