Tidal barrier 'won't save Cork and lives could be lost,' says minister

People could end up dead in Cork City if a major flood similar to 2009's devastation reoccurs

People could end up dead in Cork city if a major flood similar to the devastating 2009 event is to reoccur, warned OPW Minister Patrick O’Donovan Picture: Denis Minihane.

A tidal barrier will not save Cork City and its communities from major damage, is too costly, and could take 50 years to come to fruition, the minister in charge of the flood plan for the region has insisted.

People could end up dead in Cork City if a major flood along the devastating 2009 event is to reoccur, which is not beyond the realm of possibility with climate change, Office of Public Works (OPW) minister Patrick O’Donovan when asked to update the progress on the Lower Lee Flood Relief Scheme.