Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather events is unfortunately a reality of the country's present and future. As we have seen in the last few weeks, such events will cause substantial damage and loss to infrastructure, nature and human health. It is essential we prepare and plan for this.

Errigal College in Letterkenny requires an extension to double the size of the school to help meet the demand for post-primary school places in the town. However, the extension has been delayed indefinitely due to a risk of downstream flooding. The council, the Office of Public Works, OPW, and the Department of Education must work together to progress the much-needed extension. How will this work? As this is an issue that will become more and more prominent in future, it is something we need to plan for now. How will the Government ensure Departments, councils and the OPW are able to plan and receive funding for a timely, climate-proofing future for infrastructure projects to see they will not be delayed indefinitely in future?

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