Floods are an inevitability we can’t ignore

AS individuals and businesses struggle to cope with the destructive legacy of Storm Desmond — and possibly wait in dread for even more flooding — the announcement that the Government is to establish a flood warning system must be welcomed. 

Hopefully this development — one long- established in most European countries — will contribute to minimising flood damage when the next deluge falls.

The announcement that the difficulties around getting insurance faced by those living and working in areas vulnerable to flooding are to be reviewed is also very welcome, as many flood victims are caught in a terrible double whammy — they must face the threat of regular and devastating flooding without the comfort of affordable insurance.

It is reasonable to suggest to that procedures around public procurement for major infrastructural works such as flood relief schemes be made more robust and less susceptible to legal challenge.

Had this been done earlier it is possible that Bandon’s flood defences might have been in place to prevent this week’s unfortunate events.

It seems reasonable too to suggest that some of the anger directed at Government because flood defences were not in place, as had been promised, be redirected to those who took a legal action which, according to OPW Minister Simon Harris, delayed the project.

There is, however, an elephant in the room, one that needs to be confronted sooner or later.

Some areas are regularly flooded and even if the most robust flood defences are put in place they will flood again and again.

It seems foolish to repeatedly rebuild in an area regularly devastated by flooding. How to resolve this fairly will be a considerable challenge.