Pat Buckley (Cork East, Sinn Fein)

I thank the Minister of State for his reply, in which he stated, “Any flood relief scheme needs to map and understand the location and the flooding sources and constraints.” This is spot on, but I just want a preventative measure very fast. Land at Gleann Fia, the land next door to the site at Mogeely, owned by a farmer, can hold water, and there is an agreement in this regard. We can divert the water away from the timber houses. If there is a constraint that we can lift very fast, it will be a win for everybody.

The majority of the flood protection gates people are getting are only about 3 ft high. Some people have had 5 ft of water. When I met the residents last Friday night, I was actually taken aback. I do not know whether it is a matter of who sourced the gates but to me it is a case of a car jack in a wetsuit if a gate 3 ft high is being used to stop 5 ft of water. It does not make sense and I want the Minister of State to know that. At the far side of the bridge where the Maghy family is, where the bend in the river was, there is a flood plain. It has not been dropped enough for the water to get in. The family were very close to being flooded again.

Could the Minister of State commit to meeting the residents’ group when in Cork again? They are very honest. It is a matter of urgency and fear. It is summer now and everything is grand, but if the crap hits the fan again and these people are flooded, they will be broken mentally, financially and every other way. We just need what I have requested and to have tranche 2 as soon as we can to start preventive work, no matter how minor. I congratulate the county council and OPW, which have been working well, but we just need to resource everybody better. If there is European money available, let us ask for it.

See this speech in context