Brian Hayes TD, Minister of State with special responsibility for the
Office of Public Works (OPW), was in Skibbereen, Co. Cork Thursday to
launch the public exhibition stage of the Skibbereen Flood Relief Scheme.
Speaking in Skibbereen Town Council offices this morning, Minister Hayes
said: *“Skibbereen has a long history of flooding and **I am pleased to be
able to announce that this scheme, when completed, will provide two hundred
year flood event protection to approximately 179 homes and 131 commercial
properties and will provide a solution to the ongoing flooding concerns for
the people of Skibbereen.”*
*“The scheme I’m launching here today is a defended scheme, which mainly
involves new walls, new earthen embankments, new culverts, new surface
water pumping stations and some minor regrading of the channel.**” *the
Minister said.
The Minister concluded: *“This major capital investment commitment
**demonstrates
yet again this Government’s and OPW’s commitment to a sustained capital
programme to improve the level of flood risk protection for homes,
businesses and infrastructure as we all recognise** the serious personal
and economic impact of flooding**.”*