Cork Fine Gael Senator Jerry Buttimer has invited Ministers Martin Mansergh and John Gormley to visit Cork this Friday on the occasion of the first anniversary of last year’s devastating flooding in Cork City.
I am calling on Ministers Gormley and Mansergh to come to Cork on the anniversary of the flooding to outline and to explain to local residents and business people what work has been carried out by the Department of Environment and OPW since last November. The people of the Marsh, the Mardyke and the Middle Parish deserve answers from Government.
“It is one year on and it’s not clear as to what has been done to assist the people so badly affected. The Ministers can update the people on the CFRAM study and on the implementation of the recommendations contained in that report. In addition it is important to inform people what measures have been taken regarding escalating insurance costs. The Government needs to allay the fears of residents and reassure them that action is being taken.
“The lives of people have been severely traumatized by the events of last November and, twelve months on, very little appears to have been done. The wall at Grenville place, where a 20 metre section of wall is missing, has not been repaired. There is still no early warning system in place and there has been no independent enquiry. This has been compounded by the refusal of Minister Gormley to meet with the Joint Oireachtas Environment Committee. There needs to be more co-ordination between local and national authorities. Ministers Gormley and Mansergh could take an important first step in that direction by responding positively to my invitation.