Hear, hear.

Sentiment score: 0.00

78. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the plans, schemes or supports he and the Office of Public Works have in place to offset the risk of damage to life and property in areas prone to flooding in severe storm conditions, such as Tallow, County Waterford. [4186/25]

Sentiment score: -0.22

Gabhaim buíochas leis na hAirí. Déanaim comhghairdeas leo beirt ar a gceapachán. What plans, schemes or supports do the Minister of State and the Office of Public Works have in place to offset the real risk of damage to life and property in areas prone to flooding in severe storm conditions, such as Tallow, County Waterford? I reference Tallow because during Storm Babet in 2023 flooding occurred there that had a very serious impact on homes, families and businesses in that area. Thanks to representations from my colleague, Councillor Donnchadh Mulcahy, and me, dredging work will take place in the Glenaboy river but some structural works need to take place on the Glenaboy and the Bride rivers and the wider Blackwater river basin.

Sentiment score: -0.11

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire Stáit as an bhfreagra sin. I thank the Minister of State for that answer but it will be cold comfort to residents of West Street in Tallow who are grappling with the fact that no structural works are proposed by the OPW to the Glenaboy and the Bride rivers. We are all aware that the ferocity and frequency of these winter storms and severe weather events are increasing. People on West Street have begun to put their lives, businesses and homes back together after that flooding event in late 2023. While they welcome that dredging will take place after a very long period of engagement with the National Parks and Wildlife Service, Inland Fisheries Ireland, the OPW and Waterford City and County Council, there is much to do. Some structural works need to take place to increase capacity in that catchment area so flooding does not occur again. Another point of note is that Tallow did not receive any visits from the Minister of State's predecessor. People are sore about that because businesses and property in the area suffered huge damage. I ask the Minister of State to consider visiting Tallow, meeting the residents of West Street and letting that feed into his future responses.

Sentiment score: -0.06

I welcome the commitment to keep an open mind on these things. I think we all acknowledge that local authorities are the first port of call, especially for minor works. I understand from the representations I have received that Waterford City and County Council wants to do these structural works. However, the Office of Public Works has not recommended structural works at this location. That is incorrect. I urge the Minister of State to visit the location as soon as possible to see how things are on the ground and speak with the residents there because they have a very different perspective.

Sentiment score: 0.09