Cork flood defence: Independent review must be taken

Perhaps it should not be surprising that work on starting — or in this case, not starting — the largest and most expensive flood-defence system in the country’s history has been the target of so many objections, studies, plan revisions, delays, court actions, plan revisions, and even a European Court ruling on the risks to protected habitats.

The latest research by Professor Beese — a consulting geologist and an expert on the history of this city’s relationship with its river — into the Office of Public Works (OPW) €140m masterplan for keeping Cork safe from flooding tables has conclusions so damning as to ensure yet more delay.