By Dan Walsh
Speaking in Dáil Éireann, Malcolm Byrne TD, said “Storm Chandra had a particularly profound impact on the Wicklow-Wexford constituency I represent.
“I know the Minister of State (Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran) was in Aughrim, (he didn’t visit Enniscorthy or other Wexford flood sites, such as Bunclody and neither did An Taoiseach, Micheál Martin).
He said; “Bunclody faced the first serious flooding in 60 years when the Slaney burst its banks. It was horrific visiting some of the homes and business impacted there.
“The concerns when I met Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy and local residents were that a sufficient plan was not in place. The big challenge there for a lot of residents is while many had flood insurance until now, they will not get it again.
“We need to look at some sort of State guarantees until a permanent flood defence system is put in place in these communities. I would be grateful to hear the Minister’s views on that.
In the case of Castletown in north Wexford, on more than one occasion every year the River Ahare bursts its banks, making a road impassable. It is an issue Cllr Joe Sullivan has been raising regularly in terms of how to address this challenge.
“For this coastal community, it is cut off in many ways and people have to drive the long way round because the Ahare bursts its banks any time there is heavy rain. Coastal erosion is another huge issue.
“I am fortunate to represent a constituency that has arguably some of the finest beaches in the country, running from Brittas Bay in Wicklow down as far as Morriscastle in Wexford. Every time there is an adverse weather event, we see parts of our coast lost to the sea.
On this occasion in the floods, the Rosslare rail line (due to flooding in Co. Wicklow) was closed again, not that it is a great service anyway.
“I am asking for it on behalf of Wicklow County Council and Wexford County Council to be able to address the problems with our roads as a result of these weather conditions,” concluded Deputy Byrne.
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