Kieran O'Donnell (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Kevin Boxer Moran, for facilitating this debate, which is very important in the context of Limerick. I refer to the catchment flood risk assessment and management, CFRAM study which, in layman's terms, produces flood risk management plans for specific areas in Ireland. In 2009, and more recently, there was severe flooding in the same locations. I refer to St. Mary's Park and Corbally in the city, Westbury and Castleconnell, Montpellier and Annacotty in the suburbs of Limerick and the Mountshannon Road between Annacotty and Castleconnell village.

The same individual homes and areas flooded. The Corbally Road flooded down to the back of Westbury. The mall in the village of Castleconnell flooded. Mulcair Drive in Annacotty flooded. The Minister of State knows from his experience in Athlone that people's homes have been flooded on two occasions, which was traumatic. Smaller estates flooded in Montpellier, a small village on the border between Tipperary and Clare outside Castleconnell.

The CFRAM study is being prepared. Having spoken to Limerick City and County Council, I note it wishes to proceed with the design of flood defences to be build in the locations to which I referred. It has been advised by the Office of Public Works, OPW, that it has to wait for the CFRAM study to be published. When will it be published? If there is a delay in publication, is there a method by which Limerick City and County Council could apply to the OPW for funding to allow the design work to get underway?

The Minister of State knows that in respect of special areas of conservation the process is very slow. It takes a number of years to get to the stage where building can commence. Some work has been on Verdant Crescent in St. Mary's Park in the city. The main works are about to go to planning and the process has taken some time. It has been traumatic for those living in St. Mary's Park who experienced flooding.

When will the CFRAM study be finalised and published? When can Limerick City and County Council apply for funding in order to submit properly designed flood defences for Corbally, Castleconnell, Montpellier, Annacotty and Mountshannon Road? I greatly admired the Minister of State's work in Athlone. I extend an invitation for him to come to Limerick and visit the locations to which I have referred to see at first hand how important it is to get flood defences in place.