Chris Andrews (Dublin Bay South, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House. In the past few weeks, we have seen the devastating impact floods can have on communities, North and South and all over the island of Ireland. Last month in Midleton the main street was submerged in 3 ft of water in only eight minutes, leaving a trail of devastation in that community. There has been similar devastation in County Down, with towns such as Downpatrick, Newcastle and Newry heavily impacted by flooding. In 2002, in my constituency, Ringsend and Sandymount experienced the harsh realities of not having flood defences. It was traumatic and I distinctly remember being in the areas affected and the devastation caused for residents. I know the Irish Red Cross intervened and work has been done in Ringsend along the River Dodder, which has made a significant difference to the residents and given them a sense of security.

The Sandymount flood protection project was initiated in 2003 following the major flooding in 2002. More than 20 years on, we have seen little or no progress. All we have seen from Dublin City Council is the stalling of these works. The community is sick and tired of being given start dates for work, only for it to be stalled again and again. It is a disgrace and an insult to the local community that these vital works have been delayed again.

The most recent announcement is that there will be a delay of ten years. Understandably, residents in Ringsend are devastated by this news. Given the increase in flooding and the speed with which it happens, residents are absolutely horrified that it will take ten years before work will start again. I have been speaking with local people over the past week and they are devastated and disappointed with the news from Dublin City Council. The entire area of Sandymount is at risk of flooding. There are more than 1,000 homes in the area so the potential risk to the community is enormous. How is it possible that these works will take more than a decade to deliver?

The Sandymount and Merrion Residents Association has sought a meeting with the Minister of State with responsibility for public works, Deputy O'Donovan. I would appreciate if the Minister of State, Deputy O'Donnell, would bring the message back to his colleague the need to take the residents up on that offer to meet them. I strongly urge the Minister of State to accept that invitation. It is really important. He is, after all, from Newcastle West, a town that has suffered from the devastation of flooding, so he understands flooding. He should take up the residents' request to meet them.

I ask that Minister of State with responsibility for public works also engage with Dublin City Council to seek clarity as to why a flood defence system will take ten years to deliver. I ask that he and the council work together to ensure they reduce the timeframe for the completion of these works because there is a real concern from the community that its voice is not being listened to. I ask that every effort be made to reduce the timeframe. The ten-year timeframe is far too long for people, young and old. It is not acceptable and there has to be real engagement on and an urgency about progress for flood defences in Sandymount and along the coast around Dublin Bay. It has been glacial and it needs to be speeded up as a matter of urgency.

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