Margaret Murphy O'Mahony (Cork South West, Fianna Fail)
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In light of the near flooding a few weeks ago and further weather warnings forecast for the period ahead, I seek an update on the flood relief and main drainage scheme in Bandon. Bandon is known as the gateway to west Cork. It is a beautiful town. It is the town where I grew up, where I and my husband settled and where we choose to bring up our two sons. There is a song called "Bandon town I love you so". I will spare Members hearing me sing it here today, but it sums up-----

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
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Go on.

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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We will hear a bar of it later, a Cheann Comhairle.

Margaret Murphy O'Mahony (Cork South West, Fianna Fail)
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That would be different anyway. However, it sums up my feelings for my native town. The Minister of State has visited it many times on a personal basis.

Unfortunately, the town has been brought to its knees due to flooding on three occasions since 2009, the last two floods happening only weeks apart. I acknowledge the amazing heart and extreme resilience of the people of Bandon. They got up and fought back each time. The Minister of State will be aware that a €16 million flood relief scheme for Bandon is currently being undertaken by the Office of Public Works in partnership with Cork County Council. This badly needed scheme is expected to alleviate the serious flooding that has blighted the town for many years. The work has been progressing well to date, but local residents and business owners are becoming extremely anxious as a result of the weather conditions we have been experiencing lately. On 19 January last, the town was again on flood alert. I acknowledge the fantastic work done that day by the fire service and council workers who kept the flood at bay.

Quite simply, residents and business owners are at the end of their tether and unable to deal with the devastation another flood would cause to their properties, particularly in circumstances where they are unable to get insurance. Bandon experienced a severe flood in 2009. We were told then that it was probably a one in 99 year experience and we hoped that was the case. Unfortunately, it happened again in December 2015 and, unbelievably, again a few weeks later. After 2009 many residents and businesses were unable to access flood insurance so the next two floods left the people in Bandon devastated. People in many towns in west Cork, such as Bandon, Clonakilty, Bantry and Skibbereen, cannot get flood insurance. Although this is a matter for another day, it would be only fair that after the flood relief works are carried out in these towns people should once again be able to get flood insurance.

It is imperative that the main drainage scheme in Bandon commences on schedule, which we understand will be in the second quarter of this year. The drains in Bandon are extremely old and are no longer fit for purpose. When there is heavy rain the drains are unable to cope. If the Bandon river rises the water comes up the drains, so there is an up and down problem. In essence, these drains are well past their sell-by date and major works are essential. My constituents need and deserve answers. It is not acceptable that they must live in constant fear of the next weather forecast. Can the Minister give an undertaking that no more time will be wasted on these works and that definite dates will be provided, particularly a guaranteed commencement date for the main drainage scheme in Bandon?

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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I thank Deputy Murphy O'Mahony for raising this important issue. I am replying on behalf of the Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Kevin Boxer Moran.

As the Deputy rightly pointed out, I have personal knowledge of this issue. My brother is a publican on the main street in Bandon and his business premises was one of those flooded. The Deputy is correct in so far as his premises flooded not from the street but, rather, the toilet cisterns. The flooding came from the sewer, up the toilet and into his pub. Such an occurrence would be absolutely devastating for any business. I also have first-hand experience of such events in my town of Newcastle West, which was also flooded. I thank Deputy Murphy O'Mahony for raising the issue.

The Minister of State, Deputy Boxer Moran, visited Bandon last summer to see the great work being done to bring much-needed relief from flooding to the people and businesses of the town. He met with councillors, local Deputies, residents and business owners, who were all very relieved that, following some early delays, works were finally under way. The Bandon scheme is progressing well. Like any major civil engineering project, it is not without its difficulties but, on behalf of the Minister of State, I assure the Deputy that he has been emphasising to his officials that every effort must be made to ensure the scheme remains on target for completion in mid-2019 in accordance with the latest agreed construction programme.

Following the severe flooding in Bandon in November 2009, the Office of Public Works appointed consultants to develop proposals for a flood relief scheme for the town and to undertake an environmental impact study of the developing proposals. A preferred scheme was brought through the public exhibition process in 2012 and the proposals received a generally positive welcome. The Office of Public Works has been working in close co-operation with Cork County Council in developing and progressing the scheme. The scheme includes the following main elements: new walls and embankments; excavating the channel by approximately 1.6 m for a distance of 3.5 km; replacement of the pedestrian bridge; underpinning Bandon Bridge; construction of new fish passages; and associated drainage works, including new pump stations.

Following completion of the detailed design, the Bandon scheme was confirmed by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Donohoe, on 4 April 2016, which allowed the Office of Public Works to proceed with the scheme. The contract was awarded on 9 of June 2016 to Wills Bros Limited and construction of the scheme commenced in late July 2016. There were some initial contract issues to be resolved which led to a delay in substantive works getting under way. Thankfully, those issues were resolved.

Good progress is being made across all the main areas of work. Bandon footbridge works are progressing well and are due for completion by the end of February. The steel deck was lifted into place on 6 December last. Works associated with the ramps and walls, including large service diversions, are ongoing. Finishing works, including polished concrete surfacing and railings, are anticipated to commence this month and the bridge is due to be opened in March. Works are ongoing at Glasslinn Road and are due to recommence at Brady’s Lane and Bridge Street this month. Culvert installation works have been completed at Mill River within the grounds of the old distillery, almost completed at the Kilbrittain Road stream and are ongoing at Moanarone or Distillery Road. The construction of new flood defence walls is ongoing at Graham Norton Walk, The Stretch, Watergate Steet, Glasslinn Road wall and Mill Place. Some major elements of in-river works are scheduled to commence in May on the Bandon river and on a fish pass in the river. These are critical works and the project management team will be working very closely with the contractor to ensure they are completed within the programme. The scheme is expected to be substantially completed by July 2019 and the Minister of State is confident that target will be met.

As Deputy Murphy O'Mahony pointed out, the completion of the Bandon scheme will bring great comfort to the residents and businesspeople of the town. Like the residents of other towns such as Mallow, Fermoy, Kilkenny and Clonmel where major OPW schemes have been built, they will no longer have to live in fear of severe weather and rainfall warnings but, rather, will know their homes and businesses are protected from flooding.

The Government is committed to addressing the most significant flood risks in the country. Some €350 million has been spent on building 42 major schemes, protecting almost 9,500 properties. However, there is more to be done. Within the existing programme of capital flood works, eight schemes are at construction phase, eight more are due to start construction this year and a further 18 are in the pipeline. In addition, approximately 100 other schemes are included in the flood risk management plans under the catchment flood risk assessment and management, CFRAM, programme for which the Minister of State will shortly be seeking approval. This represents a major programme of investment in flood protection and the Minister of State is confident that the new ten-year capital plan 2018 to 2027 will see a continued significant allocation of funding for flood relief projects, including in places such as Bandon.

Margaret Murphy O'Mahony (Cork South West, Fianna Fail)
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I am glad the Minister of State acknowledged that he realised first hand what the people of Bandon went through. His brother suffered badly during those floods. I am disappointed that the Minister of State spent most of his four-minute reply going over works that have been completed, of which I am very well aware. He also spent much time speaking of works done all over the country. With all due respect to such works, my question solely regards Bandon. I ask the Minister of State to provide more specific dates for the commencement and completion of the main drainage scheme.

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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As I outlined in my response, the Minister of State, Deputy Boxer Moran, has stated that he hopes the scheme will be completed within the agreed timeframe and delivered in mid-2019. I can ask the Minister of State to provide a more detailed direct response to the Deputy on the outstanding individual elements.

Margaret Murphy O'Mahony (Cork South West, Fianna Fail)
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Yes, please.

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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I will arrange to so do. The Deputy is correct that I saw at first hand the devastation caused in Bandon. The issue was raised directly with the Minister of State, Deputy Boxer Moran, by the Minister of State, Deputy Jim Daly. On the night my brother's pub and sister-in-law's shop flooded, Deputy Murphy O'Mahony and other public representatives, including Councillor O'Donovan, a namesake of mine, were on hand to give tangible help to those affected. Cork County Council must also be acknowledged in that regard.

The Bandon scheme is one of those that has been prioritised by the Minister of State because he does not want to see a repeat of people's properties being flooded with raw sewage coming up from toilets. There is no hesitation on behalf of the Office of Public Works, the Minister of State, the Government or Cork County Council on this matter. There was, as I pointed out, some minor delays in respect of the completion of contracts. That is now under way and Wills Bros Limited is the contractor in place. As regards what is scheduled in the individual steps from here on, I will ask the Minister of State, Deputy Boxer Moran, to liaise directly with Deputy Murphy O'Mahony.