'Significant chance of further flooding' across Ireland in coming days, Tánaiste warns

Members of Slaney Search and Rescue working in floodwater in Enniscorthy, Co Wexford earlier this week. Picture: Niall Carson/PA Wire

Tánaiste Simon Harris has warned that there is a “significant chance of further flooding” across Ireland in the coming days following devastating weather in parts of the country last week.

The National Emergency Coordination Group (NECG) met on Sunday afternoon as fresh weather warnings for Monday were issued for nine counties by Met Éireann.

Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford, Cork and Waterford will be placed under a yellow rain warning from 1pm on Monday until 9am on Tuesday.

Dublin, Louth and Wicklow will fall under the same warning from 9pm on Monday until 1pm on Tuesday.

Speaking after the meeting, Mr Harris stated that it was likely that flooding would hit more parts of the country in the coming days.

“Sadly, it seems that despite a very sustained period of rain and flooding so far — particularly in the south-east and east of our country — it is highly likely that more is on the way,” the Tánaiste said.

Tánaiste Simon Harris: 'It is highly likely that more is on the way'. File Picture:Sam Boal/Collins 

“I know from the briefing that the coming days, particularly Monday through to Wednesday, will see a significant chance of further flooding in Ireland, most particularly in the south-east and up to the east.

“I do want to thank everybody who is working so hard during this sustained period of difficult weather for the work they are doing to help and support their communities. 

I was also briefed on the fact that the high tides this week could add a further complication in relation to flooding.

Mr Harris stated that the Government said that the Government must continue to assist businesses and communities impacted by flooding, as well as providing short-term solutions before designating flood relief schemes as critical infrastructure.

Following the meeting of the NECG, a spokesperson confirmed that the “risk of further flooding remains over the week ahead”.

“Rain will fall on saturated ground where river levels are high, with high tides are expected this week. This is likely to lead to further flooding along rivers and in coastal areas,” they said.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin will travel to Wexford, Kilkenny and Carlow on Monday to meet those impacted by flooding.

Chambers says delivery of flood defense schemes held up by judicial reviews 'escalating beyond control'

Meanwhile, infrastructure minister Jack Chambers has acknowledged that the delivery of flood defence schemes “has been too slow” but is being held up due to judicial reviews and “risk aversion”.

Speaking on RTÉ’s The Week in Politics, the Fianna Fáil TD argued that there needs to be a “rebalancing of rights” so that “people [are] put first”.

He also stated that he understood the frustration of people in areas such as Enniscorthy, Co Wexford, following decades of flood defence delays.

“When you look back at the history of this [in Enniscorthy], a planning process was followed, and it was refused or stopped on the basis of a particular environmental concern,” Mr Chambers said.

Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers. File Picture: Brian Lawless/PA

“I think we have to rebalance rights across the country, because there's this risk aversion now that's deferential to judicial reviews, whether it's on flood schemes or whether it's on broader infrastructure in the economy. We do need to put people first when it comes to livelihoods.

“There was total frustration in Enniscorthy during the week when people heard that it was a concern relating to a pearl mussel stopped this over a series of years.

“The systems that underpin flood relief schemes are too complex. They need to be reformed, and that's why the work we're doing on infrastructure delivery is as important around reform as it is investment.” The infrastructure minister argued that judicial reviews are “escalating beyond control”, causing “paralysis to the people making decisions across the board”, leading to Ireland having “some of the slowest infrastructure development cycles in the European Union”.

Mr Chambers said over €700m is being allocated to flood relief schemes over the next five years, as he acknowledged that delivery of flood relief schemes has been too slow.

The Fianna Fáil minister also defended his party colleague, housing minister James Browne, who has faced criticism for accusing Met Éireann of “holding back” information about the weather.

Mr Chambers said Mr Browne had expressed “full confidence” in the weather forecasters and is “working in partnership with them to try and develop the flood response system”.

“The absence at the moment is that they can provide generalised warnings, but it's not always specific,” he continued.

“They don't necessarily have all the data information for localised or regional warnings when it comes to flooding and the hydraulic information which comes from that.” Taoiseach Micheál Martin is expected to visit areas impacted by flooding on Monday, including Carlow and Kilkenny.

An incorporeal Cabinet meeting is also expected to take place on Tuesday to discuss the floods and assistance schemes put in place.

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