Labour claims Gormley is ‘ducking his responsibilities’

THE Environment Minister has been accused of “washing his hands” in relation to the flooding crisis which devastated Cork last winter.

The criticism came after Minister John Gormley declined an invitation to attend a meeting of the Joint Oireachtas Committee onEnvironment, Heritage and Local Government later this month to discuss its July report.

It included a recommendation that Mr Gormley appoint an independent team of experts to investigate the extreme weather experienced in places like Lee Valley and Cork City.