Bandon Flood Group fear delays on relief works

The Bandon Flood Group is seeking a meeting in the new year with Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Brendan Howlin, amid fears that the town’s long-awaited flood relief works could be further delayed.

The group, made up of businesspeople and residents of the Co Cork town, are seeking the meeting because of the expectation that Mr Howlin’s department must review the Environmental Impact Statement associated with the scheme.

There has already been a delay to the flood relief scheme in Skibbereen for similar reasons. In that case the OPW had to submit the tender to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to further evaluate the Environmental Impact Statement. The preferred tender then pulled out.