Cork flood defences could cost €100m, says Taoiseach

The current estimate of providing flood defences for Cork is between €50 million euro and €100 million, Taoiseach Enda Kenny has said.

“There is an engineering challenge in Cork city, in the defence of Cork city and its inhabitants and businesses,’’ he added. “It is very complex…it is not an easy issue to resolve.’’

Speaking in the Dáil today, Mr Kenny said that between 1996 and last year, €320 million had been spent by the Office of Public Works on flood defences. Some €25 million related to minor flood works, with an additional €50 million spent on other programmes, mainly the catchment flood risk assessment.

Mr Kenny, who criticised the granting of planning permission for construction on flood plains, said local authorities were now required to review their planning programme every six years.

The Taoiseach agreed with Fianna Fáil leader Micheal Martin, who said that the €250 million, to be provided over the next five years for flood relief, was not enough. The impact of climate change was now accepted, he added.

Mr Martin said it was clear that climate change was having an impact, with rising sea levels. The Government's response was not sufficiently urgent, with no national co-ordination going on, he added.

Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams said there was always money for consultants, bankers and politicians, but not enough for citizens in need. He added there was surely a requirement for a Government-funded financial aid scheme for those who could not get insurance cover because of where they lived.