Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy has raised a fair point. That evidence-based study and research is vital to inform future action but it also has to galvanise the public, more generally, and society in making sure that we can get these schemes through.

The OPW is funding two full-time staff for the Midleton flood relief scheme and will be bringing forward interim measures pending the scheme's completion. Significant progress, I am told, is being made with the design of the scheme and the next step is to commence work to achieving planning consent. That whole planning area is where we need to accelerate, given the emergency that this involves.

Midleton was part of the CFRAM programme. We have had flooding there in December 2015 and January 2016. The importance of getting this done as quickly as we possibly can is clear.

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