David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for his response. Can he tell me when he expects this study in Pilmore to be completed? Unfortunately, the tide and sea and flooding do not wait for studies to be completed. The erosion and risk of flooding to the houses there has increased recently. We have the study to go forward. What happens next? Do we need planning of some sort to do works? I am very concerned about this particular area and the houses that are at risk from flooding in that spot.

The Minister also mentioned the Womanagh river and the Land Commission. Who has responsibility for the banks of rivers? It was the Land Commission, which is no longer in existence. If that river breaks its banks, it could flood an awful lot of property and land and even Ballymacoda Village itself could be under pressure. When we tie that in with sea level rise, which we are all told by the eminent scientists is going to happen, the Minister will understand why I am concerned about this particular very low-lying area. I am not sure whether the Government has any long-term plan to deal with sea level rise as an issue nationally.

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