Michael Collins demands Dáil debate on Cork flooding
Michael Collins called for an immediate Dáil debate on recent flooding damage in Ireland, highlighting repeated flooding in Cork County communities. He attributed the floods to uncleared rivers and demanded a national river cleaning programme to protect property and livelihoods.
The communities named include Balansgarty, which flooded for the second time in two months, along with Dunmanway, Halfway, the River Brydon and Blackpool. These repeated incidents in Cork County were cited as the immediate cause for parliamentary action.
He argued the main cause is that rivers are full of muck and silt and need cleaning. He pressed for a national river cleaning programme to be put in place immediately to save people’s property and maybe their livelihood.
He asked the Taoiseach to allow a proper debate in the Dáil this week so that communities like Balansgarty can be confident efforts are being made to prevent a recurrence. He said he would be happy to facilitate that debate if it can be scheduled this week.
The Taoiseach responded that he would be very happy to facilitate the debate and referred to the Housing Commission statements scheduled for Thursday, indicating the Dáil calendar will determine timing.
Local flood incidents
The communities named include Balansgarty, which flooded for the second time in two months, along with Dunmanway, Halfway, the River Brydon and Blackpool. These repeated incidents in Cork County were cited as the immediate cause for parliamentary action.
Cause identified - rivers and silt
He argued the main cause is that rivers are full of muck and silt and need cleaning. He pressed for a national river cleaning programme to be put in place immediately to save people’s property and maybe their livelihood.
Request for Dáil debate this week
He asked the Taoiseach to allow a proper debate in the Dáil this week so that communities like Balansgarty can be confident efforts are being made to prevent a recurrence. He said he would be happy to facilitate that debate if it can be scheduled this week.
Parliamentary timetable mentioned
The Taoiseach responded that he would be very happy to facilitate the debate and referred to the Housing Commission statements scheduled for Thursday, indicating the Dáil calendar will determine timing.
We publish thousands of recordings to make Irish politics transparent and resistant to manipulation. Spotted an error? Report it — together we are building a reliable archive of Irish politics.
Other speeches
Tego samego dnia All speeches from this day →
Joe O'Reilly
Joe O'Reilly urges debate on Irish diaspora before St Patrick's
Richard Boyd Barrett
Richard Boyd Barrett: Dublin Bay 'unswimmable' after heavy rain
Richard Boyd Barrett
Richard Boyd Barrett: 54 Parents to Sleep Out Over School Supports
Danny Healy-Rae
Danny Healy-Rae warns of autism services crisis in Kerry
Richard O'Donoghue
Richard O'Donoghue Demands Accountability for Driving Test Delays
Martin Daly
Martin Daly questions omission of Roscommon rehab unit funding
Transcript
We need a proper debate in the Dáil this week about flooding damage in Ireland, especially over the past week in particular in Cork County. The community of Balansgarty was once again flooded. Second time in two months, as was Dunmanway, Halfway, the River Brydon, Blackpool. Taoiseach, the main cause of this flooding is the lack of our rivers being cleaned out. They are full of muck and silt, and a national river cleaning programme must be put in place immediately to save people's property and maybe their livelihood. Taoiseach, we can't kick this can down the road. Will you allow a proper debate here in the Dáil this week so that the communities like Balansgarty can be confident efforts are being done to make sure that something like this won't happen again? On floods in Cork, I'd be very happy to facilitate that debate. Thank you very much. If we can do it this week, you did ask last week for the Housing Commission and their statements on Thursday, but if we can do it this week, we'll do it. Thank you Tshok. That's it now.