Conor D McGuinness urges urgent action on Waterford flooding
Conor D McGuinness criticised ongoing flood impacts in Passage East, Tallow and West Waterford and called for urgent investment in stormwater and drainage infrastructure and effective early warning systems. He pressed the minister to convert updated flood relief plans into funded projects with clear timelines and highlighted chronic underfunding of road services that is worsening potholes and surface-water damage.
Urgent plea on Passage East flooding
Passage East residents have experienced repeated flooding, and local representatives including Councillor Pat Fitzgerald and Deputy David Cullinan have called for an effective early warning system with timely and accurate information. McGuinness said this must be addressed as a matter of urgency to protect homes and businesses.
Tallow and West Waterford concerns
In West Waterford, McGuinness and Councillor Dunneke Mulcahy raised the need for funding and delivery of the Tallow flood relief system after existing systems failed residents. He welcomed the start of a detailed flood investigation of West Street and the River Bright in Tallow and noted OPW approval of funding under the Minor Flood Mitigation Work Scheme last year, but said progress has been too slow.
Calls for concrete action and timelines
McGuinness said the minister will shortly receive advanced and updated flood relief plans for Passage, for Tallow and for other parts of Waterford and urged that those plans be translated into action. He demanded allocation of funding and clear timelines so communities no longer live with the fear of repeated flooding.
Roads and local authority funding shortfall
He also highlighted a consistent lack of funding for road services and local authorities, saying it is causing havoc on regional and local roads. Spot flooding, increased surface water and emerging potholes have left roads in poor condition across the county and the state, McGuinness warned.
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Minister, the ongoing and very real impact of flooding on the community in Passage East in Waterford and the serious shortcomings in response to recent flooding events must be to the forefront of your mind having visited there last weekend. My colleagues, Councillor Pat Fitzgerald and Deputy David Cullinan and indeed many residents have raised the need for an effective early warning system with timely and accurate information and this must be addressed as a matter of urgency. And probably the most frustrating issue for locals raised is the long-standing underinvestment and stormwater and drainage infrastructure in Passage East. Without significant and sustained investment, flooding will remain a recurring threat. In West Waterford and in particular in Tallow, Councillor Dunneke Mulcahy and I have consistently raised the need for funding and delivery of the Tallow flood relief system where existing systems have failed residents. We welcome the start of a detailed flood investigation of West Street and the River Bright in Tallow and the OPW approval of funding under the Minor Flood Mitigation Work Scheme last year. But it has taken far too long to get to that point, Minister. And I know, Minister, you will shortly receive advanced and updated flood relief plans for Passage, for Tallow and for other parts of Waterford and it's time now to translate those plans into action with funding allocated and clear timelines put in place. Because communities like Passage and Tallow cannot continue to live with the fear of repeated flooding. So we need those proper early warning systems, we need effective emergency responses and crucially that much-needed and long-awaited investment in flood relief measures that will protect homes and businesses. And finally, Ministers, I just want to point out the lack, the consistent lack of funding for road services and local authorities is causing havoc to our regional and local roads networks and that is put in sharp relief when we see the emergence of potholes after adverse weather conditions. So areas that aren't experiencing the worst cases of flooding but they are seeing spot flooding, they're seeing increased amounts of surface water, the roads are in rag water right across the state and right across County Waterford. There's something that needs to be addressed. Thank you very much.
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