Flood protection failings exposed

AN unpublished Government report obtained by the Irish Examiner highlights the failure of existing flood protection measures, calling them inappropriate and unsustainable.

The Flood Policy Review Group report, approved by Cabinet last month, concluded a completely new flood protection policy is required. The revelation will intensify calls for a proper political response to the disaster, which has caused tens of millions of euro worth of damage.

The report concluded: "The current approach is ... not considered to be appropriate or sustainable for the future and it is evident that a new policy is required.

"There are instances where no State agency appears to have responsibility for responding to flood events in particular locations."

Government ineptitude and massive overspending on projects elsewhere left Clonmel, Co Tipperary, without any flood protection whatsoever, angry locals said last night.

Exhausted emergency services workers were still bailing out flood waters from homes and businesses in the town late last night after raging currents in the River Suir deluged more than 100 homes and shops.

Gardaí, army, Red Cross and civil defence workers rescued people from their homes using boats and lorries. The water was four feet high in some houses.

Surveying the damage yesterday, local TDs accused the Government of botching all attempts to protect Clonmel, which has been hit by its fourth major incident of flooding since 1995. As Junior Minister Tom Parlon, who has responsibility for administering flood relief schemes, visited the town last night, local independent TD Seamus Healy demanded action.

"It's time to stop the talking now and start the work," he said.

Mr Healy said the OPW promised action earlier this year but nothing was done.

Local Fine Gael TD and party environment spokesman Tom Hayes said recently highlighted cost overruns of e35m in the Kilkenny City drainage scheme would have paid for Clonmel to be protected.

The Kilkenny scheme went from an estimated cost of just over €13m to €48m in two years.

"This waste of resources by this Government has once again robbed the people of Clonmel of the much -needed funds that they are entitled to," Mr Healy said.

He called for emergency Government funding for homes and businesses.

Fine Gael enterprise spokesman Pat Breen also called for emergency aid for the millions of euro worth of damage suffered.

"The Government has known for years of the need to provide comprehensive flood relief in places like Clonmel, Clonakilty and Fermoy, which are known flooding flashpoints. Instead it sat on its hands and the devastation of this week was much worse than it should have been," he said.

Defending the Government's record Mr Parlon said a previous plan for Clonmel had to be dropped after 113 objections were received from residents.

"If it hadn't been for the objections, Clonmel would have probably gone ahead of Kilkenny and would be completed now," he said.

Mr Parlon said a proposal was ready for consultation in the new year and funding was already in place. He also confirmed he had spoken to the Cabinet about humanitarian aid being made available to flood victims.

In Fermoy, Co Cork, mopping up operations continued yesterday as a number of businesses and householders counted the cost of flooding. Up to three feet of water had to be cleared out of shops in Brian Boru Square, which bore the brunt of flooding.

Meanwhile, Met Éireann warned last night heavy bursts of rain in the south and east pose a flooding risk. The army remains on standby in Clonmel while Enniscorthy, Co Wexford, was also on emergency footing as the River Slaney burst its banks.