Government and opposition clash over Ireland’s flood defences

The Government and opposition have clashed over the progress made on Ireland’s flood defences as weather warnings continue.

During Leaders’ Questions, Sinn Fein deputy leader Pearse Doherty said families were “once again clearing out the debris and water, knowing this destruction was predictable and preventable”.

Mr Doherty pointed to Simon Harris’ role as minister of state with responsibility for flood defences a decade ago.

He said many of the flood relief schemes “identified, prioritised or advanced” during that period “remain incomplete”.

Mr Doherty said: “A significant number are stuck at planning or, even worse, early design stage.”

The Tanaiste responded by saying “a lot of progress has been made in relation to flood relief”.

He said the Office of Public Works (OPW) “has already completed some 56 flood relief schemes, protecting some 13,000 properties and avoiding estimated damage of around two billion euro”.

Mr Doherty said the figure of 56 relates to flood relief projects completed since 1997. He said only 17 had been completed since Mr Harris became a member of the government 10 years ago.

Some 148 schemes in areas prone to flooding identified by a specialist report have not yet been completed, the Sinn Fein TD added.

Mr Harris said “there is an increased focus on allowing local authorities to fast-track more works that can be done in the here and now”.

He added that about 900 such projects have already been delivered.

He also said flood relief schemes are “being classified as critical infrastructure” and “the Government intends to bring forward a critical infrastructure Bill”.