Cathal Byrne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House to address the very urgent matter I raise, namely, flooding in Enniscorthy, the population of which is approaching 12,500. Regrettably, the town's location on the beautiful banks of the River Slaney means it is prone to flooding. There has been flooding of a severe nature in 1924, 1947, 1965, 2000, 2002, 2009, 2014, 2016 and, most recently, in 2021, when the flooding took place on Christmas Day.

For the past ten years, the Government has committed to delivering a flood relief scheme in Enniscorthy. Unfortunately, the reality is that while funding was allocated after the flooding in 2014, local residents and businesses affected by it have not seen progress. In 2020, Wexford County Council and the Minister of State's Department submitted a planning application to the then Minister for public expenditure to deliver a flood relief scheme in Enniscorthy that would have involved taking out the Seamus Rafter Bridge, dredging the river and erecting glass walls. The scheme had buy-in from the local community, including the 105 residents and 127 owners of the business and commercial properties affected by flooding on an ongoing basis, with no objections or submissions put forward as part of the public consultation process. Regrettably, in 2022, two years after the application was submitted to the Minister for public expenditure, it was rejected, citing environmental considerations.

When heavy rain is anticipated in Enniscorthy, residents live in fear that, once again, their homes, businesses or commercial properties will be flooded. This has created an unfortunate situation whereby investment in the Templeshannon side of the town has stalled and properties on Island Road have been devalued, with their owners unable to access flood insurance. People have adopted a cynical attitude in that they genuinely do not believe we will ever have flood defences in Enniscorthy. I am here today to give a voice to their fears and to advocate on their behalf to ensure this project gets the priority it deserves. I know the Minister of State has taken a personal interest in the project in the past, including by visiting Enniscorthy. In fact, when he was previously Minister of State, the project made it to the point that it could go forward for planning approval. I have several specific questions for him. Is the OPW determined to see the project through? Is it a priority once again for the Minister of State? Will he visit the town with me and meet with some of the residents and the local councillors in the Enniscorthy municipal district? Is he committed to delivering this project?