Councillors ask OPW to clarify insurance cover if flood defence schemes fail

Councillors are to write to the Office of Public Works (OPW) asking what type of insurance cover it has if its flood prevention projects in north Cork fail, and householders and businesses are inundated with water.

The move comes after county engineer David Keane revealed that the council is seeking major insurance cover in case demountable defences, which it is responsible for operating in Fermoy, either fail or are not erected in time.

Mr Keane said they were looking for insurance cover which would exceed the €2.3m norm for public liability because he didn’t believe that was sufficient if there was a catastrophe.