Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator Clune for raising this important matter. On behalf of the Government I express my sympathy to those affected recently in Blackpool by the flooding. I am thankful no lives were lost but considerable damage was done, particularly to businesses, in Blackpool village.

I will set out the role of the Department in these matters, and in my role as Minister with lead responsibility for the response, I can indicate the following. The cause of the flooding was primarily due to partial blockage of the debris screen located in the River Bride upstream of a culvert in Blackpool village. I understand the screen was checked and cleared by council staff between 3.30 p.m. and 4 p.m. on the afternoon of 21 March. It was subsequently checked at approximately 7 p.m. and found to be clear. At 8.49 p.m. the duty officer at the city fire brigade received a call from a member of the public stating that flooding was commencing in Orchard Court, Blackpool. The city council call-out co-ordinator was advised and Ballyvolane fire station mobilised a unit to investigate. They sought assistance from city council call-out in the form of an excavator to remove debris from the screen. As a result of the blockage the river overflowed, with water reaching Thomas Davis Street and Watercourse Road, causing flooding to some 15 business premises. Flood depth on the road varied from 0.5 m to 1 m, with velocities high and representing a hazard.

City council staff were on site but progress on clearing was limited until arrival of a JCB at 9.55 p.m. Once screen clearance commenced, an immediate abatement occurred, with the majority of clearance occurring by 10.40 p.m. During the period of the flood, the fire brigade were in attendance, deployed water pumping equipment and were assisted by Civil Defence and the Garda. I thank all the local authority staff and owners of the businesses for their work, which caused a massive inconvenience during this weather-related difficulty. The screen was subsequently monitored until 4 a.m., at which point flows had subsided in the river.

This is an example of what has happened recently but I am also aware that the Senator has referred to other locations in Cork city and county subject to flooding in 2012, including businesses, some of which had no insurance. I asked for a survey to be carried out by local authorities and I received a report. As Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, I do not have a role or powers in regard to the provision of financial assistance to businesses affected by flooding. Neither I nor my Department has any remit in the area of flood relief or assistance for businesses, although there is the issue of humanitarian assistance to residents. There is therefore a difficulty in meeting the unforeseen circumstances encountered by businesses with no insurance and how they have been affected by flooding. I am keeping the matter under review and notwithstanding that there is no precedent for compensation of businesses arising from non-insurance or flooding, I am conscious of the importance of small businesses, who may see some financial difficulties arising from the location of those businesses. I refer in particular to the shopping centre in Douglas.

I understand the Office of Public Works has been in ongoing discussions with the Irish Insurance Federation regarding flooding insurance issues, particularly where insurance cover has not been provided in areas where flood defence or mitigation works have been carried out. The Minister of State, Deputy Brian Hayes, has met a delegation from Blackpool today and is conscious of the areas of Cork city and county that have been subject to these unforeseen weather patterns resulting in difficulties for businesses, particularly when they have no insurance. I will undertake to keep the matter under review.