Campaigners opposed to Cork’s €140m flood defence plan say a tidal barrier is a viable option after costing a cheaper version at a different location.

A lobby group representing people living in flood-risk zones has called on the Government to exempt from the new property tax, homes that cannot get flood insurance cover.

Brian Hayes, the minister for State at the Office of Public Works, has called for residents in flood-affected areas to help his department determine the number of homeowners being refused house insurance as a result of the flooding in Nov 2009.

THE lobby group fighting for flood-ravaged communities is to press the Government to take on the insurance industry and help flood victims get cover.