Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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I hope the Minister of State has been briefed on the severe flooding in Bantry yesterday as a result of Storm Barra. From early yesterday morning, when the storm made landfall, the fire brigade and Cork County Council were out doing everything they could to prevent flooding. Substantial parts of the square were flooded, with more than 20 premises affected. Most challenging is the fact this is the fourth time Bantry has flooded in 18 months. In the words of Danielle Delaney, chairperson of the Bantry Business Association, without a major flood defence scheme, Bantry will continue to be flooded and the workers on the ground are fighting a losing battle. Reports from the town yesterday indicate the remedial flood relief works carried out by Cork County Council did prevent further flooding, but the capacity of sand banks and pumps is limited. A permanent flood defence scheme is the only solution and it is one Bantry needs immediately.

When I last spoke to the Minister of State with responsibility for the OPW, Deputy O'Donovan, on this matter in September, I highlighted the increased risk Bantry faced in the winter months. As the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, will be aware, I regularly seek updates from the OPW on the Bantry scheme, along with others in Cork South-West. At every stage, I have welcomed progress, and I appreciate there is a set-out process, but it is taking too long. Phrases such as "almost completed" and "it is expected the preferred tenderer will be notified in the coming weeks" are not good enough as the town floods again. Yesterday, there was Storm Barra, only the second storm this winter, but there will be more, with each bringing the risk of flooding to Bantry and other areas. Will the Minister of State assure Bantry businesses and homeowners that this will be prioritised by the OPW?

Christopher O'Sullivan (Cork South West, Fianna Fail)
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I commend the emergency services, the fire services and Cork County Council, which were out since 5 a.m. on Tuesday trying to battle back the north Atlantic, an impossible task without a flood defence. I am assured some of the measures they took prevented further damage, but we have to acknowledge their incredible efforts. It is now expected that every time there is a southerly wind and a high tide, Bantry will be flooded. On this occasion, in the region of 23 premises, properties and businesses were impacted by this flood, and for some it was the fourth occasion within a period of about 16 months that they have experienced flooding. That makes Bantry the most frequently flooded town in Ireland right now, and it is not good enough. We need to help them.

I understand why the Minister of State, Deputy O’Donovan, cannot make it to this debate. He and the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform visited Bantry on a couple of occasions in August 2020. After that, there was the announcement of the €6.7 million flood relief scheme for Bantry. We were told the tender process for that scheme would start, which it did, but in September of this year, I was told the preferred design team would be appointed within a couple of weeks. It is now December and still a formal design team has not been appointed.

A number of weeks ago, Cork County Council recommended the appointment of a preferred design team and I want to know why that preferred design team still has not been appointed. We need to expedite this scheme and streamline the process. A public consultation period has to happen, as does the design, and we are no further towards that. Skibbereen, Bandon and Clonakilty can all sleep safely knowing their towns are protected; Bantry deserves the same protection.

Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I apologise on behalf of the Minister of State, Deputy O'Donovan. He is not in a position to attend the debate due to family issues. I spoke to him late last night and he has no issue talking to the Deputies.

The flood risk management plans launched in May 2018 included a recommendation to progress the project-led development and planning of a flood relief scheme for Bantry. As Deputies will be aware, a steering group comprising representatives from the Office of Public Works and Cork County Council is in place to progress the Bantry flood relief scheme. The plans, with outline designs of possible measures, estimated a preliminary total project cost of €6.7 million for the scheme, which will protect 198 properties. The viable scheme option for Bantry, as identified at the catchment-based flood risk assessment and management, CFRAM, level of assessment and having an estimated cost of €6.7 million, consisted of fluvial flood defences comprising walls and embankments and tidal flood defences comprising sea walls, and is expected to provide protection against a 100-year fluvial flood or a 200-year tidal flood.

On 11 March 2021, Cork County Council, in partnership with the OPW, issued the tender documentation for the procurement of engineering consultants via etenders.ieand tenders were returned on 30 July 2021. An assessment of these tenders has been completed by Cork County Council and it is expected consultants will be appointed in the coming weeks. I acknowledge Deputy O’Sullivan was told that a couple of months ago but I cannot answer why they have not yet been appointed. Once consultants have been appointed to progress the flood relief scheme for Bantry, consultation with statutory and non-statutory bodies, as well as the public, will take place at the appropriate stages to ensure all parties will have the opportunity to input into the development of this scheme.

In the meantime, Cork County Council has engaged a contractor to treat some of the invasive species in preparation for a flood relief scheme for the town. The flood relief scheme will be funded from within the allocated €1.3 billion for flood risk management over the period of the national development plan to 2030.

Provision for the cost of the scheme is included in the OPW's multi-annual capital allocation. Cork County Council is also progressing the preparation of the consultant's brief, which is expected to issue in quarter 1 of 2022, to carry out the repair and reconstruction of the Main Street culvert. This has been identified as a significant element contributing to flooding on Main Street, New Street and north and south of Wolfe Tone Square in recent months. The OPW is liaising with Cork County Council on the integration of these works with the flood relief scheme for the town.

In March 2021, an application under the minor flood mitigation works and coastal protection scheme for interim works to mitigate flooding in Bantry, which includes installation of non-return valves and provision of mobile pumps, was submitted to the OPW by Cork County Council. This application for funding of approximately €140,000 has been approved and the council is progressing these works. A preferred tender has been identified for supply and installation of the non-return valves. The contractor's health and safety information and insurance are being finalised to allow the appointment of the contractor be confirmed. In addition to the proposals I have outlined, prior to forecasted extreme weather events such as the current event, Storm Barra, local area staff from Cork County Council are implementing interim measures to assist and mitigate flooding, such as the deployment, as Deputy Cairns said, of sandbags at Sand Quay and mobile pumping.

Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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Any acceleration of the process will be essential in getting the badly needed flood defences. I will take up the Minister's offer to meet us on the matter. Bantry and the wider community of the town need permanent flood defences as soon as possible. In the meantime, the town needs additional support to deal with the inevitable flooding it faces.

I have previously raised the point that a proactive engagement with the community during the consultation phases, one which is based on a partnership model, will help alleviate any potential tension points and ultimately help improve the scheme. When we discussed this matter in September I noted that Bantry would benefit from the minor flood mitigation works and coastal protection scheme. Funding has only been approved for sites up to the end of September. I hope Bantry will be included in any further announcements for the final quarter of this year. Any short-term investment will have manifold benefits for Bantry and its community and businesses. They cannot wait any longer.

Christopher O'Sullivan (Cork South West, Fianna Fail)
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I stress again the importance of expediting and streamlining the scheme and getting it right. However, I welcome the interim measures the Minister of State outlined. I also stress that we are having more frequent and severe weather events. Our coastline is being battered, as the Minister of State knows well, being from Waterford. It is not just towns being flooded. Piers are being washed away and coastal walkways are collapsing into the sea because of these more frequent weather events. We do not have a strategy or fund in place to protect these areas of coastline. A perfect example of this is the well-known O'Sullivan walkway in Adrigole on the Beara Peninsula. It is part of the Beara trails. The walkway is essentially collapsing into the sea due to these frequent, severe weather events. What we need is a fund to protect such amenities in the future. I would like the Minister of State to bring that point back to the Minister of State, Deputy O'Donovan, and the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Michael McGrath.

Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I thank Deputies Cairns and Christopher O'Sullivan, who are both more aware than I am that Bantry experienced significant flooding at around 6 a.m. yesterday. It appears that the source of the flood water was a mixture of tidal effluvium and pluvium as the main culvert through the town was also running full at the time of flooding. As the Deputies said, the fire brigade was on site and pumped water over the quay wall. It is estimated that 23 properties flooded on the south side of the square and New Street. It is difficult to know at this stage the level of the water but it is estimated that floodwater reached 1.5 inches on one property on New Street, the Gift Shop. The floodwater abated around 8 a.m. and the fire brigade pumped the last of the water from the north side of the quay.

I know how difficult it is when flooding occurs. I was in business for many years and to have water entering a premises is soul-destroying. Trading for businesses has been difficult enough over the past while. Coming into the three-week window before Christmas when trading is so important to stave off the challenges in the new year when things are much quieter, it is very difficult.

I agree with the Deputies on the importance of expediting the scheme and I will also raise the issue they mentioned. I am familiar with the Beara Peninsula. I holidayed in the area last year and have relatives living there as well. Coastal erosion on the Waterford coast is also a challenge for those of living in the area. I will raise these matters with the Minister and Minister of State. I empathise and sympathise with the businesses that were flooded yesterday morning. We know flooding very well in Portlaw and it is the worst type of mess to try to clean up afterwards, especially when it gets into electrics. I hope things were better overnight. I thank Members for their time.