Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator for raising this matter. I am pleased to provide an update on what is happening in Bantry. As the Senator says, I was down in Bantry and other parts of west Cork, which got a horrific doing of flooding during the summer. I thank the outdoor staff of Cork County Council, all the voluntary emergency staff, my outdoor officials at the Office of Public Works, OPW, and the engineering staff of the OPW and Cork County Council for all their efforts, not just during the summer but since then.

Following the flood events which occurred in Bantry in August and November 2020, measures have been implemented by Cork County Council in conjunction with the OPW in advance of the predicted rainfall and tidal events, including recently due to status orange weather and rainfall weather warnings. These include Cork County Council staff placing large sandbags at Sands Quay where some of the tidal waters enter the square and also mobile and fire service pumps are placed on standby. These measures have mitigated flooding in the town by reducing the number of properties that flooded. I visited some of these and understand the difficulties caused. The Senator is right that the frequency and violence of the flooding are getting worse. I understand it is acknowledged locally to Cork County Council staff that the measures have prevented some of the further properties from flooding.

For the most recent forecasted rainfall events, Cork County Council hired an additional two mobile pumps in advance. Measures were again put in place and the town was monitored by local Cork County Council staff throughout the period from 23 to 25 February. Thankfully, no flooding occurred and the forecasted rainfall did not materialise.

The flood risk management plans launched by the Taoiseach in May 2018 include a recommendation to progress the project level development and planning of ten new flood relief schemes for County Cork, which includes Bantry. Each individual flood relief scheme has a steering group comprising representatives from the OPW and Cork County Council. A steering group is in place to progress Bantry. The Bantry flood relief scheme is due to be implemented as part of the first tranche of 60 new schemes which have been prioritised. There have been a number of potentially viable flood relief works outlined for Bantry, to be implemented as appropriate after project level assessments and planning, These would include fluvial flood defences comprising walls and embankments and tidal flood defences, as the Senator said. These measures have preliminary total project cost estimates of around €6.5 million and would protect about 200 properties. Cork County Council in partnership with the OPW is finalising tender documents for the procurement of engineering consultants to progress the development of the scheme and a prior information notice has been published by the council on the Government's procurement website, eTenders. I am delighted the tender is due to be advertised shortly.

Once consultants are appointed to progress the flood relief scheme for Bantry, consultation with statutory and non-statutory bodies and the public will take place at the appropriate stages to ensure all parties have the opportunity to input into the development of the scheme. The Senator made reference to everybody being included and that will be vital at the consultation stage. The public in Bantry, including the Bantry Business Association to which the Senator referred, will all be included. In the meantime, Cork County Council regional and local roads design office has commenced the preparation of the consultant's brief documents to carry out the repair and reconstruction of the Main Street culvert, also referenced by the Senator, which has been a significant element contributing to the flooding on the main street. I saw that when I visited the area around New Street and north and south of Wolfe Tone Square. My office is liaising with Cork County Council on the integration of these works into the flood relief scheme.

I know from speaking to residents last year that flooding in Bantry is causing concern for residents and businesses alike. Cork County Council is investigating whether further interim measures can be put in place in advance of the main flood relief scheme which will mitigate against the flood risk currently present.