by Alan Jacques
COUNCILLORS in the municipal district of Adare-Rathkeale have warned the local authority that there will be “hell to pay” if there is a repeat of last year’s flooding with defences not yet in place.
Cllr Kevin Sheahan told the council executive this week that the current situation was “a bit rich” with no proper flood defences yet in place in Foynes, Askeaton and Ballysteen, a year on from the devastating floods. The Fianna Fail politician insists flood defences for the area would not cost an arm and a leg, but insists this money must come from Government.
“I was in Foynes the morning of the flooding last year and saw elderly people been moved from their homes. It’s time now for Minister Harris to get off his butt to prevent a reoccurrence and put in place the proper fortification,” said Cllr Sheahan.
Independent councillor Emmett O’Brien said he could not understand why there was two lots of engineers drawing up designs for flood defences. He insisted this was only slowing down the entire project.
“This is an abuse of public money. It’s just not good enough. The can is being kicked down the road,” he claimed.
Fine Gael councillor Stephen Keary asked why there had been no progress on the project in Foynes when funds were approved by the OPW last May?
“It should not take that long to get off the drawing board. Every effort should be made to alleviate the problems,” Cllr Keary commented.
Limerick City and County Council’s district director for Adare-Rathkeale, Tom Gilligan, told council members that there was a process to be followed and agreed the project needed to be moved on.
“I am not happy with the delays either,” Mr Gilligan confessed.
“Unfortunately we are dealing with nature and aspects of climate change,” he concluded.
