Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I have raised this issue of the ongoing flood situation affecting Skibbereen, in particular, before. The point I wish to raise is the ongoing delay in implementing the flood relief strategy and in putting in place a proper flood relief system.

The public consultation day was held in January 2012, approximately four months after the original scheduled day. The stage 2 public exhibition day is scheduled for 11 April 2013 but it has already been rescheduled from October, when it was originally supposed to take place. Over the past two years, these consultation days and exhibition days have been pushed out by between nine and 12 months, which is causing much concern.

In the past six weeks, we have had four flood weather warnings from Met Éireann and Cork County Council. In addition, there were three floods on the Mill Road on 18-19 and 21-22 December and on 18 January. On most of these occasions, the water was within millimetres of flooding private houses and businesses in the Skibbereen area. Needless to say that on some of these occasions, the road to the local hospital was blocked off because of the flood warnings.

I put on record my sincere thanks to the voluntary local flood committee. It sometimes comes in for much criticism because it is not delivering. I have met some of the members of the committee and during the dates on which there were flood warnings, they were up until 3 a.m., 4 a.m. and 5 a.m. watching the water rise and waiting until it receded before they went to bed.

In the previous debate on local government reform, the Minister for Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Hogan, spoke about the voluntary sector which should be given credit. This is a group of amazing people who have done trojan work. They are very reasonable people and are involved in the national flood forum, in liaising with local engineers on the council and in meeting Government representatives. In the past, the former Minister of State, Martin Mansergh, visited as did the Minister of State at the Department of Finance, Deputy Brian Hayes, who is due to visit again in a few months time.

I am deeply concerned that this town has suffered hugely as a result of flooding for the past 40 years. I know much progress has been made in other towns, such as Fermoy, Mallow, Clonmel and Kilkenny, and good luck to them. However, I am making the case that the delay in regard to Skibbereen must be addressed. I understand there are funds to address it. Whether it is a two or a three-year job to implement what is proposed for the Skibbereen flood relief scheme, the community, the elderly people living in the estates, the ratepayers and so on should not have to wait and suffer further consequences as a result of inaction and pushing the evil day further out. These delays are inexcusable and I trust the Minister of State, Deputy Perry, will have very positive news for me.