Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The one in 100-years event the Deputy referred to is the international norm for best practice for acceptable defences that can be put in place for climate adaptation and resilience to protect communities. It is not, therefore, unusual.

I met Galway City Council’s engineers when I was down there. In six weeks, we saw four catastrophic events, Storm Debi included. It would be reckless not to feed in the data Galway City Council obtained on the night to ensure the steering group, which incorporates the OPW and Galway City Council, is satisfied that when it meets local representatives the scheme it presents will be able to defend the city should a one in 100-year event occur. If we cannot do that, knowing the energy levels of the Atlantic, it would be a futile exercise.

See this speech in context