Quay walls at Grenville Place still not repaired
Speaking on the Adjournment Debate in the Seanad, Fine Gael Cork South Central Senator, Jerry Buttimer, criticised the delay in putting an early warning flood system in place in Cork to help local communities avoid a repeat of the devastation endured last winter.
Senator Buttimer went on to say that 12 months on, the quay walls at Grenville Place still have not been repaired.
“It is only mid-October and Cork has already had its first flood of the season. Residents and business people alike are understandably nervous of what is coming down the tracks this winter.
“It is 12 months since havoc was wreaked on Cork City and despite protestations to the contrary, an early flood warning system to improve communication with those affected by flooding still has not been established.
“Last weekend, following the floods in Cork, there was a real sense of fear and concern among the residents of the Marsh, the Mardyke and the Middle Parish that since the flooding in 2009, a system that uses text messaging, e-mail or some instant form of communication is still not in place.
“There are still people in Cork who have not been able to return to their homes. With the flood warning situation largely the way it was when they had to leave their homes a year ago, it is understandable that they have little faith in returning any time soon.
“An improved flood alert system is essential for Cork but it seems there have been relatively few measures taken by the Government to advance this. People are also concerned about the availability of sandbags to combat flooding this winter.
“The weeks are rolling in fast and the people of Cork are asking for at least the minor works to be carried out. There is wide-spread speculation about how it could take a full year to have the quay wall at Grenville Place repaired. Homeowners are not confident that they are being heeded and that there will be a proper response if there is a recurrence of last year’s events. The Government must stop hiding behind reports and studies and set about securing the future of the people of Cork this winter.”