Culvert and grate for Ballybrack Stream must be examined

Speaking in the Dáil this evening (Tuesday) on Topical Issues, Fine Gael Cork South Central TD, Jerry Buttimer, called for a full and honest explanation of the sequence of events which led to flooding in Douglas, which devastated homes and businesses.

“In the early hours of last Thursday morning, businesses and homes in Douglas village were devastated by uncharacteristic flooding.  Homes on St. Columba’s Terrace and St. Patrick’s Terrace were flooded and businesses in the village, in the shopping centre and in Douglas West suffered tremendous damage.

“In the Dáil today I raised the serious concerns of the residents and business people in Douglas with the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Phil Hogan TD.  Those who are dealing with the aftermath of the flooding deserve a full and honest explanation of the events which led to the devastation. When a full explanation is received it will become clear exactly what caused the flooding.

“The issue of the culvert is central to the flooding and there are a lot of questions which need to be answered.  Last year, the County Council spent hundreds of thousands of euros on a culvert and grate for Ballybrack Stream; we need to know if both functioned as planned.  Locally, there are fears that the proximity of the grate to the culvert and the infrequent clearing of the stream contributed to the flooding.  These concerns need to be addressed.

“The aftermath of the flooding leaves many issues for local residents. They are faced with rectifying the damage to their homes and with making insurance claims.  Too often insurance companies are less than cooperative, failing to promptly deal with claims and pay out money which is rightly due to those affected.  The insurance industry needs to be brought to task to ensure it looks after their customers in their hour of need.

“The Environment Minister has recognised the impact of the flooding on residents and businesses.  He confirmed that he will specifically ask to the have issue of the culvert investigated as part of the report which he has requested from Cork County and City Councils.

“In the Minister’s reply to me he said that the Council had checked drainage systems and had staff on stand-by, following weather warnings last Wednesday. That these steps failed to prevent damage to homes and businesses raises questions about the effectiveness of the Council’s emergency plan for dealing with floods.

“People affected by last week’s flooding deserve an immediate response. The Minister confirmed that Government Departments and State agencies are available to assist people in Douglas. The Department of Social Protection is available for once off payments and exceptional needs.  Also the Department of Finance will liaise with financial institutions asking them to provide as much assistance as possible to those affected.

“The fears and nervousness of residents and business people must be allayed.  They need an explanation and reassurance that steps will be taken to prevent a repeat of last week’s flooding.”

Posted under Douglas, Environment, Floods

Cork South Central Fine Gael TD Jerry Buttimer has welcomed confirmation that planning and design of risk management and mitigation scheme for the lower Lee is to proceed.  Minister of State at the Office of Public Works (OPW) Brian Hayes, TD, confirmed that planning and design of the scheme will be progressed by the OPW during 2012.
 
Deputy Buttimer said “This is very welcome news for the people living in Cork City, particularly those communities in the Middle Parish and the Mardyke.  For two years there has been little or no action to prevent a repeat of the disastrous floods of 2009.  The floods caused devastation across large parts of the city, 18,000 homes were left without water, since then we have seen remedial works on quay walls begin and then, incomprehensively, come to a stop.  Minister Hayes’s announcement will reassure residents that this government is taking their concerns seriously.
 
“For each of the next five years the government plans spending an additional €45 million on flood risk management and mitigation.  A total of €225 million over the period is more than the total spent on such measures in the past 10 years.  At a time when it has to take difficult financial decision this is a signal by government that it understands both the personal and economic impact of flooding.
 
“I have raised the issue of flood mitigation on the lower Lee with the Minister Hayes on a number of occasions.  He previously confirmed to me that approximately €2.4m had been provided by the OPW under the Minor Works scheme to both the City and County Councils for the Cork city area.  €900,000 of this funding has been provided to Cork City Council to commission works for the repair of the collapsed quay walls.
 
“The Minister also informed me that he proposed to engage consultants to carry out detailed design of the lower Lee flood defence works and to examine possible changes in operational procedures for Inniscarra dam.  I am delighted that he is now following through on his commitment and delivering the initial steps for a badly needed flood mitigation scheme on the lower Lee.”

Posted under Cork City, Environment, Floods, South Central, South West

Cork South Central Fine Gael TD Jerry Buttimer has called for the Manager of Cork City Council and the Minister for the Environment to respond to and implement the recommendations of the report on the Review of the Response to Exceptional Severe Weather Events of 2009 – 2010.
 
Deputy Buttimer said “I have asked the Manager of Cork City Council and the Minister for the Environment to publicly respond to the report and confirm that they are putting in place the recommendations made.
 
“The Report sets out a detailed review of the response to the serious flooding and severe weather conditions in 2009/2010.  It highlights that the responses to the weather conditions were ad hoc and the sharing of information was insufficient due to the disjointed relationship between the various organisations involved.  It also exposes the vulnerability of our salt supplies which could be impeded by political disruption in the countries from whom we buy salt.
 
“The flood warnings were too general and did not sufficiently alert the people at risk, they were not made aware of reality of what was coming.  It says that one of the reasons for this was a disjoint between the meteorological and the hydrological system information.
 
“It is very much welcomed that the response of the staff of Cork City Council has been recognised and praised in the report.  When they were most needed those working for the council went beyond the call of duty to help those most severely affected by the floods.
 
“The agencies mentioned in the report, the Department of the Environment, Met Éireann, ESB, Cork City Council and others, must now take action to ensure that the recommendations are implemented.
 
“The feasibility of a flood forecasting system for the River Lee should be immediately examined.  Cork City Council must confirm that it has implemented a flood emergency plan, and also whether or not it has agreed interim protocols with ESB, OPW and EPA to access hydrological information which will form the basis for flood forecasting.”
 
Deputy Buttimer concluded by saying “agencies involved at all stages of the emergency management cycle must ensure sufficient cooperation so that future responses to severe weather conditions are not disjointed and are more than merely ‘adequate’.”

Posted under Cork, Cork City, Environment, Floods, National Work