Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)

I welcome the Minister of State and convey my gratitude for his interest in and support for areas affected by flooding. This is a parochial matter for everyone. The Minister of State was in Skibbereen and knows the area quite well. The concerns expressed by the local flood committee relate to a number of items identified as housekeeping or basic works to be done on the River Ilen or the Caol Stream adjacent to it. The Minister said that if Cork County Council made an application for emergency flood relief funding, he would not be found wanting. I am not sure whether such an application was made. The anniversary of the major flood is 19 November, which I remember well. I was caught in the flood. The town was flooded twice after that and survived a fourth attempt during the bad winter last year.

A report has been commissioned which has been put out to tender. There has been a long delay in the process which is causing concern locally. However, I do not dispute that a report is required in order to prevent a major flood such as might occur every 50 or 100 years in the River Ilen catchment area and the town. As someone who worked in the town for many years and still has a close association with it, the cleaning of the River Ilen is fundamental. The Minister looked at debris that had either been dumped or collected near Kennedy Bridge close to the West Cork Hotel. Debris had also collected in a relief channel, the Caol Stream and culverts. If all of that work was done, it would probably ensure ordinary floods occurring once every ten years could be averted or, at least, diminished. Flooding occurred in the area of Glencurragh adjacent to the GAA football pitch. A retired man whose premises had flooded three times damaged a thumb when trying to cut a timber. Such flooding had never happened before in the time he had been living there.

Subject to correction by the Minister of State, I have deep concerns that the new Skibbereen bypass which forms part of the N71 contributed to flooding in certain areas. Council workers and engineers who observed the flooding on the night it occurred said there was 2 m to 3 m to spare under the Kennedy Bridge near the West Cork Hotel which is on the way out of the town towards the sea. They said there was plenty of room, but the water could not pass through where the new bypass had been built. That matter should have been addressed when the work was being planned.

It might not be a major issue, but the concern is that winter is approaching and weather experts are predicting a harsh one similar to last year, with a lot of rain. We all remember what happened last year. People in the town are conscious that as of now little or nothing has been done. The council spent €10,000 on preliminary work on the river, involving a machine cleaning one section, but owing to a lack of funding the work ceased. Irrespective of what will happen following a flood relief study that might take another 12 months before it comes before the council or the Minister, it is essential that basic housekeeping is carried out, including the cleaning of culverts, the Caol Stream and the Riven Ilen of debris that has accumulated. Perhaps some of the debris is due to the major sewage works carried out recently in the town. If such work was carried out, local people would accept the commitment to undertake the work was being fulfilled. Notwithstanding a major plan for the town and the Riven Ilen catchment area coming into Skibbereen to deal with abnormally high levels of flood water as occurs every 100 years, basic housekeeping would still be required.

The Minister of State may not have received an application to do the work, but a three-stage plan was costed at approximately €1 million. The three parts were put before the Minister of State. The Joint Committee on the Environment, Heritage and Local Government which is chaired by Deputy Fleming visited the town. In the early part of this year the perception held by the community at large - I do not speak in a political way - was that essential remedial works would be carried out, but as of now little or nothing has been done. I am concerned that if another flood occurs, adverse comments will be made against public representatives, irrespective of party, and county council engineers.

Skibbereen has suffered a lot. It is a relatively small town when compared to a city such as Cork or a town such as Ennis or Fermoy which are bigger. A total of 200 premises, homes and businesses, in the town were affected by flooding. A significant number of people were affected. Old people were frightened out of their lives by the flooding and some had to move, not all of whom have been able to move back because the repairs have taken a long time to complete. I will not address the question of insurance. I seek a ray of hope from the Minister of State that the OPW through Cork Council or otherwise will do the basic remedial work to restore confidence in the people of the town.