Martin Mansergh (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)

While the long-term forecast, in so far as any faith can be placed in it, refers to a harsh winter, it does not refer to a very wet one. We will see.

I thank the Senator for giving me an opportunity to update the House on the progress made in addressing the flooding problem in Skibbereen since my appearance in the House on the matter earlier this year. When I last spoke on the issue, I had recently travelled around the Cork area to see at first hand and discuss the impact of the severe flooding in November 2009. I visited a number of locations in the county, including Skibbereen. Having seen the damage and talked to many of the town's residents, I am acutely aware of the distress they suffered at the time and their concern that steps be taken quickly to prevent a recurrence. I would like to assure them again of my determination to provide every assistance in that regard. Before moving on to what is being done to address these concerns, I again acknowledge the tremendous contribution of personnel from Cork County Council, the Army and Civil Defence in combatting the flooding last winter which ensured the devastation experienced in Skibbereen was not even more severe.

As I promised during my visit, the Office of Public Works has been working in partnership with Cork County Council to tackle the flood problem at locations throughout the county, including providing expertise and guidance on flood solutions for the Skibbereen area. I had an informal meeting with the county manager in July which focused to a considerable extent on flooding issues. The aim continues to be to ensure the preferred solution is one that will afford the required level of protection, while also addressing any environmental issues and providing the best value for money.

In the aftermath of the November flood event, Cork County Council took the lead in addressing flooding in the town by commissioning an initial scoping report from consultants. The consultants looked at previous reports on the problem and identified channel capacity and tidal factors as likely contributing factors. A key recommendation of their report was that further, more detailed, analysis be undertaken which would take account of recent changes in the area, including urban development and climate change.

The council subsequently submitted a number of applications for funding in respect of Skibbereen under the Office of Public Works minor flood mitigation works scheme which provides funding for interim works to address localised flood problems where a solution has been identified or can be identified readily. To qualify for funding, proposals must be economically viable and environmentally sustainable and should cost not more than €500,000 in each case. The applications submitted by the council for Skibbereen were in respect of, first, a study focused on the River Ilen; second, interim flood mitigation works and, third, a flood warning system.

Following an assessment of the applications submitted by the council, the Office of Public Works allocated funding of €120,000 in 2010 for a comprehensive study which will examine the cause of the flooding problem in the town and identify appropriate, cost-effective solutions. In addition to providing funding, the Office of Public Works provided substantial assistance for the council in developing the brief for the study. The council has already completed the pre-qualification process to select consultants for the study and it is understood that it will seek tenders from the consultants shortly. The council estimates that the study will take approximately eight months to complete.

With regard to the council's applications for interim mitigation works, it was the Office of Public Works' expert assessment that the proposals for which funding was sought which had a combined estimate of cost in excess of €1 million were premature in the light of the forthcoming study and would not have a significant impact in reducing flood risk. It is the view of the Office of Public Works that, given the scale and relative complexity of the flooding problem, the recommendations of the proposed study will provide the appropriate context for development of proposals for major flood relief works.

On the council's application for funding to implement a flood warning system to cover a number of locations, including Skibbereen, the proposed study will examine the viability of a range of options to address flood risk, including a flood warning system. The OPW carried out preliminary work on the feasibility of such a system, which will feed into this process.

At this stage, however, it is not possible to give a definitive timescale for the implementation of any works or other measures recommended by the study. The timescale would be influenced by a number of factors, including the scale of the proposed measures and the associated statutory or other consent processes. Every effort will be made to progress their implementation as quickly as possible in line with normal procedure.

Pending the implementation of any major flood relief scheme the study may recommend, it would be open to the council to develop and seek funding from the OPW under the minor works scheme for, alternative proposals for minor mitigation works. Any such applications that meet the criteria of the scheme will be given every consideration.

I am committed to securing effective and appropriate solutions to the problems that have been experienced by the people of Skibbereen. I am confident the approach being followed by the OPW and the council offers the best prospect of this objective being achieved. Skibbereen, like Bandon, is on the radar as a high priority location. I will take up the invitation to attend the Skibbereen forum, even if members might find the position I outlined disappointing. Between now and then, the specifics mentioned by the Senator will be examined. The onus, however, is on the council to put forward proposals. Some of the things mentioned fall entirely within the council remit but we support those councils that wish to carry out minor works. Money is not the issue, it is a question of the effectiveness of such measures. I have no doubt significant works will be identified as a result of the studies under way and my office will give priority to addressing this issue. It has not been possible to carry out many works before winter but there is no reason to believe the Irish climate is now subject to a monsoon season that starts in mid-November, although I hope I do not have to eat my words in a month. I will come to Skibbereen and listen to what people have to say. My engineers will be in touch with the council and if we can do anything in the short term to alleviate the situation, we will do it.