Like them or not, flood relief schemes didn't fail during Storm Ellen and Storm Francis

Critics say expensive flood defences didn't work, but the floods are linked to storm drainage issues

In Skibbereen, streets flooded during Storm Ellen last week when a culvert and storm drain at ‘The Cutting’ was overwhelmed when rainfall reached 40mm an hour. Picture: Denis Boyle

The latest flash flooding events to hit three major Cork towns have thrown a spotlight again on contentious flood defence schemes and raised questions about the €150m scheme proposed for Cork City — the largest single investment in flood defences in the history of the State.

Why, after all the investment in flood defences in Bandon and Skibbereen, were streets under water? If they can't cope with flood defences, what will happen in Cork City? Why has it taken so long to deliver a flood relief scheme in Bantry? If these towns can’t cope with freak summer storms, how will they cope this winter?