Colm Burke presses Minister: Decision needed on Blackpool scheme
Colm Burke challenges the Minister over delays to the Blackpool flood relief scheme, saying the OPW report has been with the department for around 12 months. He urges a decision before the environmental report becomes out of date and stresses the need to protect the local community.
Immediate issue: Colm Burke raised the Blackpool flood relief scheme, noting the OPW submitted its report many months ago and asking why no decision has been made. He warned that further delay risks the environmental impact study becoming out of date and prolongs uncertainty for residents.
Delay and consequences: Burke criticised what he described as repeated delays by the department and recalled an earlier occasion when the environmental report was rendered obsolete by a slow decision. He emphasised the practical consequences for people living in the affected area and the urgency of moving the scheme forward.
Engagement and responsibility: The recording shows Burke insisting on collective work between Deputies, Ministers and agencies to deliver the project, while also rejecting accusations that he and his colleagues are not trying to progress the scheme. He says he is doing everything he can but cannot unlawfully interfere with the process.
Next steps: Burke pressed for clarity on when a decision will be taken and asked the Minister to prioritise the matter so the environmental study does not need to be redone. He commits to working constructively once the report outcome is available.
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Minister, it's in relation to the Blackpool flood relief scheme. It's going on now for 13 going to 14 years. The OPW, as I understand it, sent the report into your department something like nine or ten months ago and I don't understand why we still don't have a decision on this matter. Why is it taking so long? On the previous occasion, the department sat on the report and by the time they came to a decision, the environmental report was out of date so they had to go back to the drawing board. Can I please have clarification when this project is proceeding? As you know, I'm not going to go and read it out loud, you know the story in relation to this, it is with the Insiderly, but we are working together collectively. I'm working with you as your... Deputy, you've told the Minister to answer. Deputy, you come in here and you give out the hot air, but you rarely engage in a proper manner to try and constructively deliver this for the people of your community. You come in and say this is delayed, that's delayed. We have to work together for the betterment of them people and protect them. I, as you know, the objections that was placed in this, you know exactly the people that placed the objections. You know what I'm doing, which you and the people trying to deliver this. I think it's unfair of you to come in and accuse us of not working and trying to deliver on that. I think it's very unfair. The report is in with over 12 months. Why isn't there a decision taken on it to proceed? Deputy, when the report comes out, we'll constructively come back to you and we'll work together to deliver. I can't interfere with the process. I can bring it to where it is today and I can't, and if I could interfere, I do it, but I can't. You just have to wait. Well, it's annoying for you, as it is for me, and the people, but I have to wait for that to come. It's 12 months that we're waiting for the response from the report. 12 months, Minister, and the environmental impact study will again be out of date unless a decision is made on this matter. Okay, Minister, be fair. Okay, go on ahead. No, I fully agree, and I know the frustration of the Deputy is occurring, and I know the people are onto it, but I want to assure you that I am doing everything I can to deliver on that. Thank you.
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