Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 July 2012
310 Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will be commissioning reports on the recent flooding in Glanmire, County Cork to examine the sequence of events and the effectiveness of the warning system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33177/12]
View answer320 Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will be commissioning reports on the recent flooding in Glanmire, County Cork, to examine the sequence of events; the effectiveness of the warning system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33171/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 310 and 320 together.
Heavy rainfall across the country on the night of 27/28 June gave rise to very localised downpours, particularly in several areas of Cork, including Glanmire. Given their nature, it is not possible accurately to predict the exact location, scale or intensity of such localised downpours. An aggravating factor was the already saturated ground due to the wettest June on record.
As the primary response agencies, Cork local authorities will report comprehensively to their elected members on the flooding and response. When all details and analyses of the flooding event that occurred in Cork last week are to hand in the near future, a detailed report will be prepared for the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning in order that we can learn from it and improve our overall resilience to deal with severe weather events of the kind witnessed last week.
The Office of Public Works is the lead agency for flood risk management in Ireland. However, I understand from the OPW that they are not directly involved in the operation of any flood warning system in County Cork. I further understand from the OPW that Cork County Council very recently (4 July 2012) submitted to them a minor works application for funding under the Minor Works Scheme to undertake a study of the Glashaboy River catchment following the serious flooding which affected the Meadowbrook Housing Estate and the Hazelwood Shopping Centre in Glanmire. The purpose of the study is to identify appropriate alleviation measures. The Council would intend to submit a further minor works application on the identification of such works.
