Cathal Byrne (Fine Gael)

In anticipation of the orange weather warning that is affecting some of the counties on the east coast and particularly in the south east in my own area of Wexford, I again highlight the urgent need for the Enniscorthy flood defence project to be progressed. As a local councillor back on Christmas Day 2021 I will never forget meeting residents in the town who had to stop the cooking of the turkey in the over because the water had burst through their front door and into their kitchens. It was a scene that should never be repeated but, in reality, has been experienced too many times in Enniscorthy. I am aware, through the councillors in Wexford, that Wexford County Council is making preparations for sandbags for residents right across the county and in particular in Enniscorthy. I sincerely hope that, with 100 mm of rain anticipated to fall between tomorrow and Saturday morning, that we will not see another flood event in Enniscorthy. It reiterates the urgent need for this plan,which has been promised for so long but not delivered, to be delivered.