Michael Collins (Cork South-West, Independent Ireland Party)

Last night, businesses and residents were once again flooded in Bantry after a heavy night of rain. Since I came into the Dáil in 2016, I have raised this issue monthly - the latest was two weeks ago. The answer I got a couple of weeks ago from the Minister was that a flood relief scheme would be delivered to Bantry in 2031. The people of Bantry have been destroyed by floods last night and for decades. The Southern Star carried a story last week which recalled that in 1983, people had to sit up in businesses in Bantry and put their feet up in the air as the businesses were surrounded by floods. The time for talking is over. The time for Ministers of State with responsibility for the OPW coming to Bantry time in and time out to talk to residents and businesses is over. All Bantry wants is a flood relief scheme, not promises of compensation packages that cannot be delivered. Bantry has had enough. Throughout these decades of flooding, Fianna Fáil or Fine Gael has been in government. Will they fast-track the flood relief scheme, deliver it in 2026 and not kick the can down the road as they have done for the past 50 years? Councillor Danny Collins told me this morning that there is great anger in Bantry and that there needs to be a meaningful compensation package for businesses and residents. Will that happen this week?

See this speech in context