Lord mayor slated over response to flood defence fund
Fianna Fáil Councillor Terry Shannon accused Lord Mayor Dara Murphy of “clambering for headlines” after the launch of the draft Lee CFRAMS flood risk management study for public consultation.
The study says the city needs a €100 million flood defence system to protect it from both river and tidal flooding.
But the minister with responsibility for the Office of Public Works, Martin Mansergh, said a cost benefit analysis has shown it is not viable and the Government would not be providing funding for it.
Mr Murphy led criticism of the Government for failing to provide the money for the country’s second city and he handed a formal letter of protest to Taoiseach Brian Cowen during his recent visit to Cork.
But Mr Shannon launched a blistering attack on Mr Murphy at a council meeting last night and accused him of “clambering for headlines”.
“Handing the Taoiseach a letter of protest was beneath your office. That’s not the way to do it,” he said.
“You politicised the issue at a time when people are out of their homes.
“We need to get on with business of the city without you trying to politicise the issue.
“You’re not going to get into Dáil Éireann on the back of it.
“The CFRAMS document is out now for public consultation. Instead of looking for cheap headlines, we should give it space for public consultation.”
Mr Murphy hit back and said he felt it his duty to fight for Cork.
“I accept the criticism but I defend my right as Lord Mayor, elected by this council having been elected by the people of Cork, to where I see fit, criticise decisions like this and if it results in this city getting as little as €100 more, then it will have been worth it,” he said.
Cllr Jim Corr said work must be done to protect the city from future flooding to prevent the devastation of last November.
“We must protect our city. I don’t think €100m is too much. We spent €320m on the main drainage system. Yes it will be expensive and it will take time but the sooner we start, the better,” he said.
Cllr John Buttimer said the CFRAMS study should be renamed Cork Floods Regularly All Man Ships.
He called on the Government to provide sustained and substantial funding to provide flood defences for the city.
Meanwhile, Mr Murphy was directed last night to write to the ESB inviting its officials to meet the council’s environment committee to discuss the November flooding.
Mr Shannon said he was concerned some agencies appear to have washed their hands of any responsibility.
“This council should meet with the ESB. We need answers. They should be telling us to our face what happened rather than us having to read about it in the media.”
