Mattie McGrath presses minister on Clarmelagh flood and station
Mattie McGrath raised concerns about flood protection, insurance practices and the siting of a new gather station in Clarmelagh. He urged the minister to visit the proposed site and reconsider the building's orientation to ensure it is fit for the long term.
He said Clarmelagh is "98% or 97% secure from floods" but criticised the impact of floodplain designations on insurance. He warned that nearby places such as Kinsheelan and Care have been affected and said people are "being ripped off for insurance".
He thanked the minister for engaging with him over recent months about the site for the gather station in Clarmelagh and noted that officials had sent him a map that morning. He recalled the project was first raised by Sean Tracy 60 years ago and said planning and design work is now under way.
He asked the minister to inspect the proposed site in person, arguing the building's front façade - currently oriented against the plaza - should be turned around. He emphasised the structure will be there for the next century and should be properly placed in a suitable area of Clarmelagh.
He thanked officials for contacting him and said players are beside the site as planning continues. He said he looks forward to the new gather station and encouraged further on-site engagement by the minister and officials.
Flood protection and insurance
He said Clarmelagh is "98% or 97% secure from floods" but criticised the impact of floodplain designations on insurance. He warned that nearby places such as Kinsheelan and Care have been affected and said people are "being ripped off for insurance".
Engagement on the gather station
He thanked the minister for engaging with him over recent months about the site for the gather station in Clarmelagh and noted that officials had sent him a map that morning. He recalled the project was first raised by Sean Tracy 60 years ago and said planning and design work is now under way.
Concerns about siting and design
He asked the minister to inspect the proposed site in person, arguing the building's front façade - currently oriented against the plaza - should be turned around. He emphasised the structure will be there for the next century and should be properly placed in a suitable area of Clarmelagh.
Officials' contact and next steps
He thanked officials for contacting him and said players are beside the site as planning continues. He said he looks forward to the new gather station and encouraged further on-site engagement by the minister and officials.
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Transcript
I have two minutes, I want to congratulate you on your re-employment, this job. You are very suitable to this role. You have first-hand experience in that loan, out there with the manning the pumps yourself, and as we all saw you on television. I want to thank you for coming to Clarmelagh and different places and appeal to you. Now, the Clarmelagh is 98% or 97% secure from floods. To deal with the insurance companies, because, as well as Kinsheelan, out as well as Care, which is 10 miles away, they are putting in the floodplains. People are just being ripped off for insurance. If the floods come up over the matric here, we will not have Noah's axe. So, I mean, it is nonsense. Minister, I also want to thank you for engaging me over the last number of months in relation to the site for the gather station in Clarmelagh and, indeed, the players are beside it. I received this map this morning from your officials. I thank the officials for contacting me as well. Minister, I would love you to come and see this site. We are looking forward to the new gather station, which was first raised here by Sean Tracy, 60 years ago, and we have it, but now we are planning and designing something. It is up on top of the plaza. The front façade will be looking against the plaza. I believe it should be turned around, because it is a building that will be there for the next century, and I would love to see it properly placed and placed in the suitable area in Clarmelagh. Thank you. Thank you, Deputy McGrath.