East Cork residents accuse minister of spinning flood relief delays as 'development milestones'

"We are just sick and tired of the way these delays are dressed up and spun by the minister as development milestones," said Caroline Leahy, of the Midleton and East Cork Flood Protection Group.

Minister of state with responsibilty for the OPW, Kevin 'Boxer' Moran announced on October 1 that the €5.8m individual property protection (IPP) scheme will be completed in November. Picture: Ray Ryan

Minister of state with responsibilty for the OPW, Kevin 'Boxer' Moran, has been accused of “spinning delays” to East Cork flood defence measures as “development milestones” by Midleton resident representatives.

Caroline Leahy, of the Midleton and East Cork Flood Protection Group, said residents want the completion of work that should have been done by now.

She said: “We are in the storm season, yet measures to help protect us from floods are still beset with delays.

“We are just sick and tired of the way these delays are dressed up and spun by the minister as development milestones.

“The latest announcement by the Government was trumpeted as a new development, when it is in fact confirmation that things are being delayed, yet again.” 

Mr Moran announced on October 1 that the €5.8m individual property protection (IPP) scheme — announced in 2024 to provide flood barriers to 723 properties in Midleton and the wider East Cork area — will be completed in November.

However, in October 2025, Cork County Council said it would be completed by “mid-2026”.

The minister also announced on October 1 that the council will formally lodge a planning application for the delayed Midleton Flood Relief Scheme “at the end of the year” and the project will be completed by 2031. This is despite the minister saying in July that planning would be in by September.

The previous OPW minister, Kieran O’Donnell, had, however, announced in October 2024 that the application would be in by early 2026, and the project completed in 2030.

Mr Moran’s announcement on October 1 confirms the planning submission has now been delayed again by a further three months.

In reply to accusations that the minister and the OPW are “spinning” delays as new developments, a spokesperson declined to comment on the specific claim.

Instead, they pointed out that Cork County Council is due to provide updates on timeframes on the delivery of flood relief and mitigation measures at its next flood committee meeting on October 15.

In a previous explanation for delays to the IPP scheme, the council said: “The scale of this scheme vastly exceeds that of any similar scheme delivered in Ireland previously.

“The market response for both supply of barriers and works contractors interested in undertaking the type of work required has been challenging to date.

“The challenges include the availability of the significant number of barriers required in the marketplace and the availability of contractors to deliver the builders’ work.” 

Local Social Democrats TD Liam Quaide, one of the various public representatives that have raised issues around flood defences on residents’ behalf, said: “The lack of urgency in delivering flood protection for East Cork’s villages remains unacceptable.

“Almost three years after Storm Babet, residents are facing another winter with the fear that their homes could flood again.

“The minister and OPW need to give these villages a clear timetable for permanent flood and provide the staff and funding needed to deliver it.”

He added: “Cork County Council must also be supported by the Government to put effective interim protection in place as quickly as possible.

“These communities cannot be left waiting indefinitely.” 

Residents in Midleton are due to protest against the continued delays at a public demonstration in the town on October 17 at 12pm.