Daly keen to see flood ‘jigsaw' finished

CORK South West TD Jim Daly is determined to see the completion of the ‘jigsaw’ of flood works in the constituency.

With flood prevention schemes in Bandon and Skibbereen having had contractors appointed, the Clonakilty-based Deputy Daly is now turning his attention to a similar project in Clonakilty, hoping to expedite its delivery. 

‘I hope that both the contractor procurement process and the confirmation of the scheme will be completed by early 2017,’  the FG deputy said.

‘That should allow works to commence in the second quarter of 2017. I am extremely proud of the Government’s record in relation to flood protection in West Cork and it never fails to surprise me when I hear people say, “We got nothing in West Cork when we had three government TDs in the area” – nothing could be further from the truth. 

‘Let nobody be under any illusion that the delivery of these three schemes costing nearly €60m is solely down to constant lobbying of the then ministers by myself and former TDs Noel Harrington and Michael McCarthy. 

‘The fact remains that there was more done for flooding in West Cork in the last five years than in the previous 45 years.’

Daly went on to confirm the Clonakilty scheme is currently going through the detailed design process.  

He said when this is completed, the scheme will be submitted for formal confirmation or approval by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Paschal Donohoe. 

Work on the Skibbereen Flood Relief Scheme has commenced in the town, with major works being carried out over the next two years.