Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I want to say this for the record. I will take some little blame in regard to the phrasing of this question, which is to discuss the flooding in Galway and the damage it has caused to homes and businesses. The question was submitted to the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform, as all my questions regarding Galway flood defences have been.

I would say there has been a not overly-friendly interaction in the course of the day with my office regarding this to clarify what it was we wanted. We wanted an update on flood defences, and the Department is aware that there is a library of questions following up on this. We were told it would go to the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment because the word "business" is in the question. It was then suggested that we change the wording. That was at 6 p.m., after the Ceann Comhairle had chosen this question. It is not within my remit to change questions that have been submitted. I am using my time to explain this and the Minister of State, Deputy Collins, who is from a completely different Department, is here and will read out a script. I will also take this matter up with the Ceann Comhairle.

As the Minister of State is aware from the scenes on television and discussions on radio, Galway is just another area that has flooded in the past number of months, from Midleton in the south to Newry in the North. I want to know what is available. I have received answers regarding the schemes that the Minister of State will, I presume, tell me about, namely the two business schemes, including the enhanced business scheme, and the social welfare payments available. I am able to read and understand that.

The purpose of my question was the Coirib go Cósta remedial and flood defence works. The preliminary total cost of the project was €9.5 million. This is further to the catchment flood risk assessment and management, CFRAM, programme which started in 2012 and which we all know about. That is over 11 years ago. Following that, a plan and cost were produced for the project. The project aims to protect 940 properties in Long Walk, Spanish Arch, Eglinton Canal, Merchants Quay, Raven Terrace, Salthill and Claddagh. Almost all of those areas were flooded on Sunday and Monday, including my office in Flood Street which is named after a family rather than telling us that it floods.

From January 2023 onwards, I have asked for an update on this. I have used my time to give the background to this. I have been told at each stage that there will be a report. Nothing has come so far in 2023. The original CFRAM underestimated what we faced in terms of climate change and refers to an event every 100 years, but there are now a few events within a number of months. Everything is out of date. I understand the complexity of the situation, but what I cannot accept is the lack of an explanation to us setting out the reasons for the delay and updating us on precisely what is going on. I have a library of questions and responses. In the meantime, Galway is under floodwater again.

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