Maria McCormack (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for coming to speak to us about flooding issues. We have known for many years now that the effects of climate change will bring about more dramatic weather events and certainly, as we have seen in the past year, we have had our fair share of storms recently. The severe damage throughout the country from Storm Éowyn should serve as a wake-up call for the Government to better prepare for more frequent and more damaging storms in future.

I take this opportunity to raise the matter of the Mountmellick flood relief scheme in County Laois with the Minister of State. He might remember that, eight years ago in 2017, there was a massive flood in Mountmellick when three rivers simultaneously burst their banks after heavy rains. The water levels rose so fast, residents were terrified and homes and businesses were severely damaged. Some residents could not return to their homes for several months. The Defence Forces were called in to assist with what was described as a catastrophic flash flood. We have had a plan to mitigate against future flooding events in Mountmellick since the report in 2018. This plan was set in motion seven years ago, yet we still have no flood defences in place to protect residents from future heavy rains and storms.

There are four stages after a consultant is appointed. After seven years, it seems we are still stuck in stage 1. It was expected that a planning application would be submitted by the end of last year but we have heard no update on that. Similarly, a flood relief scheme is in place for Portarlington, County Laois, which has also been stuck at stage 1 for the past seven years. It is actually a bit further behind because planning is not expected for another few months.

I spoke to a resident of Mountmellick today who told me that, after the flood in 2017, his insurance claim for the damage to his home was more than €90,000. Luckily, he had insurance but going forward, the insurance company will not cover any flood damage. The residents of Mountmellick and Portarlington are at the mercy of the Government’s plan to implement the flood relief schemes. With the slow progress of these plans, it is no wonder residents say their nerves are gone every time a storm approaches. They have been living in fear for eight years. How much longer will they have to live like this? In 2023, residents viewed the plans and were glad there was some progress, but they have heard nothing since and are deeply concerned it is taking so long for this initial phase. They just need reassurances that the flood defences will be in place before they get hit again.

It is acknowledged that a little flooding in 2020 led to some changes in the design presented in 2023 and caused a small delay, but to take seven years and counting to complete one phase is just not acceptable. There have been assurances that, once the planning phase is completed, the works will not take too long after that. I really hope that is true. There was an expectation that the planning for Mountmellick would be submitted in quarter 4 of 2024. We are now in quarter 2 of 2025 – where is it?

I urge the Minister of State to have a look into why these schemes are taking so long. Can we please have some urgency to deliver them in County Laois?