Dam no longer needed

THE worst flooding ever experienced in Cork city, especially along the Lee Valley last month, was caused by a combination of flash floods and the release of an inordinate volume of water from the Inniscarra dam.

Had the dam burst the entire city could have been destroyed from a man-made tsunami.

The Lord Major, Cllr Dara Murphy, speaking recently on RTÉ’s Prime Time programme, adverted to the fact that the dam has passed its shelf life.

In fact there is no necessity for the continuation of dam water to produce hydroelectric energy. Modern water-operated turbines now work from the natural flow of water.

The recent flooding of the Lee Valley did not result in the loss of life by the grace of God.

However, the devastation to property and businesses, as well as the hardship inflicted on a multitude of our citizens, was avoidable

How long more must Cork city face the threat of a man-made tsunami when there is a solution to alleviate the danger?

The time has come for all of us to demand that our politicians make the necessary changes.

Michael O’Connell

Mansfield House

Passage West

Co Cork