East Cork flood plan must be funded and implemented immediately – Pat Buckley TD

Sinn Féin TD for East Cork Pat Buckley has said the announcement that a plan for interim flood protection measures for the area will be published is welcome, but deadlines and swift implementation are required.

Pat Buckley said;

“This plan is a long time coming. We had a supposed once in a lifetime flood in the area in 2015 and we’ve had a few more which have been increasing in severity since then. East Cork residents are living with this reality and the instability it causes for years. It can’t go on without a plan and that plan must be implemented.

Recent flooding in the East Cork area has caused huge damage to public and private property, shut down whole towns and businesses. Disrupted education and community life. It has also been a traumatic and scary experience for those caught up in it. Flooding is a serious and dangerous problem and the protection of the life, health and property of our community is a matter of the most serious importance. Action is needed now to ensure that the next flood is not even worse and the consequences even graver.

I welcome news that a plan will be published soon. But we need a date for this, we need dates for implementation, funding and a commitment that this plan won’t sit on a shelf. The people living with the consequences demand this and they need it.
I will continue to speak to the Minister, the Department and the local authorities to assist in any way I can to make sure this plan is a success. I will also work to ensure that they are held to account for any delays.

Planning permissions will be required and these must be moved on immediately with everything in order. The people of Cork East cannot afford mistakes, delays or inaction.”