Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank both Deputy Stanton and Deputy O'Connor. I appreciate they are both valued representatives for the Midleton area.

Having visited Midleton in my capacity as Minister of State with responsibility for local government at the time, I am aware of what occurred on the ground. I did not have direct involvement but I wanted to see what happened.

There is a body of work under way. I am actively working with my officials in the OPW and with Cork County Council. I want to look at this in great depth and then make a visit to Midleton, but I want to do that having bedded down a body of work for it, which is already under way.

Deputy O'Connor was not here earlier when I referred to an issue so I will do so again. The Deputy asked about an early warning system. Cork County Council, with its consultants and Met Éireann, has assessed the feasibility of a flood forecasting system for Midleton. Unfortunately, due to the short time period between rain falling in the area and flooding occurring in the town, a flood forecasting system based on rainfall and real-time river gauge observations will not provide a sufficient lead time to allow for an effective response. The national flood forecasting service operated by Met Éireann provides data on flood risk for major catchments and is developing its service to improve flood forecasting for Midleton and other areas throughout the country. That is within the Department of housing. I am aware there is work being done there.

The Deputy made reference to both Castlemartyr and Mogeely. In July 2018, Cork County Council submitted an application under the OPW minor flood mitigation works and coastal protection scheme for clearing work upstream and downstream of Castlemartyr. This application did not meet the criteria for the scheme. Following the recent devastating flooding caused by Storm Babet, the council confirmed it would review its original application and has resubmitted an updated application to the OPW for Castlemartyr. The application consists of proposed works which include increasing the height of the wall upstream of Castlemartyr bridge and cleaning, widening and deepening the river to improve flood conveyance. The OPW has reviewed the application and requested further information from Cork County Council on the submission. As for Mogeely, when I visit Midleton I want to visit those other areas as well. The OPW has been advised Cork County Council is currently preparing an application to the scheme for interim flood relief and mitigation works at Gleann Fia and other locations in Mogeely. I understand the county council is considering all possible solutions to mitigate flooding in that area.

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