Residents slam Government over flood defence
They were joined by the city’s business lobby group, Cork Chamber, which expressed “acute disappointment” at the Government’s stance.
Eileen Regan, whose home in the historic Middle Parish was one of hundreds to suffer extensive damage in the devastating November flood, said if the Government values communities likes hers, it must find the money.
“No matter what it costs, we are worth it and they should find the money,” she said. She was reacting to news that the Government has stopped short of funding a €100m tidal and fluvial (river) flood defence system on cost grounds in favour of several small scale works.
The recommendation is contained in the Lee Catchment and Flood Risk Assessment and Management Study (CFRAMS) which was launched for public consultation on Monday. It includes data from the November flood when after days of heavy rainfall, the ESB was forced to release vast quantities of water from its Inniscarra Dam.
It resulted in the worst flood in Cork in living memory. Tens of millions of euro worth of damage was caused. UCC suffered an estimated €25m damage. The city is seeking up to €21m to flood proof the city’s drinking water treatment plant and upgrade the water pipe network. The cost to the taxpayer of the post-flood civic emergency topped €3.1m.
CFRAMS has recommended several approaches to minimise the risk from future flooding.
It said a scheme to protect the city from a combination of tidal and fluvial flooding could cost up to €100m and could be cost prohibitive. The report has instead suggested the ESB, through its dams at Inniscarra and Carrigrodrohid, would play a greater role in managing flood risk in the area.
And it has called for the establishment of a flood warning system for 90% of the catchment area, and for several small-scale flood defences in at-risk zones. But Ms O’Regan, who is secretary of the Patrick Hanley Buildings and Surrounding Areas Residents Association, said she cannot understand why the Government will not invest in proper flood defences.
“We are a proud city centre community and we keep life in the city centre. They should be grateful we are living in this area. We take care of it and we are proud of our area. They should be minding us,” she said.
“They don’t value us for the work we do. There is money there when they need it – just look at the expenses politicians claim. And for what?”
Mardyke resident Sally McGrath, whose home was also destroyed in the flood, is still living in an apartment almost three months after the flood while negotiations about repairs continue. She said: “The politicians seem to have money for expenses for ridiculous things.
“The money they spent on the flood report could have been used for some small projects. They should get the small things right first, then go after the big projects.”
Cork Chamber chief executive Conor Healy said the report “demands a strong and committed approach by Government and the local authorities” to implement its recommendations.
“Cork Chamber urges central Government to engage with Cork’s local authorities to determine a funding model that will allow all of the necessary works to proceed as quickly as possible,” he said.
“We want to see a timetable for implementation produced without delay to ensure adequate flood protection for Ireland’s second city.”
The Lord Mayor, Councillor Dara Murphy, said the damage caused by the November flood, and four other major flood events over the last decade have cost far more than the plan to protect the city over the next 75 years. “This €100m flood defence scheme would save the State money,” he said.
“Tinkering around the edges isn’t acceptable. €100m represents quite good value.”
Party colleague Bernard Allen TD, branded the Government’s decision not to fund the €100m flood defence scheme as a “washout”.
“We are witnessing a cop-out here and a short-sighted one at that,” he said. “Once again, Cork is not deemed important enough by Dublin to warrant vital infrastructure.”
County councillor Pat Burton said he will examine the CRFAMS report in detail and he urged people to comment on the plan.
* The plan is available for comment on www.leecframs.ie until April 30.
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