A REPORT on the possibility of introducing a national flood warning system will not be completed until early next year, it has emerged.
Parts of the country were devastated by floods late last year, including Cork, Galway, Clare and Tipperary.
Minister of State at the Office of Public Works Martin Mansergh confirmed the study under way would examine the “potential benefits” and assess the options for such a warning system.
Answering a parliamentary question from Fine Gael Clare TD Joe Carey, the Minister said the feasibility study would also examine the procedures and infrastructure required for a flood forecasting and flood warning service.
“It is expected that the study will be completed in early 2011. An extensive consultation with the primary stakeholders has already been carried out as a central part of the overall feasibility study.”
Mr Mansergh said that in parallel with the national study, existing catchment-based flood-forecasting systems were being piloted at Mallow and Clonmel and a further assessment was being carried out on the river Lee catchment.
Mr Carey said a repeat of the estimated €1 billion worth of flood damage done nationally last year “could occur again this winter because of Government inaction”. He claimed the Minister’s response meant a national flood warning system was several years away.
“Last year’s flood damage caused enormous hardship throughout the country and resulted in a massive cost to the economy both in terms of damage done and days of business lost,” said Mr Carey.
Mr Carey noted a recent study by NUI Galway lecturer and climate change expert Kieran Hickey, which said the majority of the damage could have been largely avoided had a proper warning system been put in place.
Mr Hickey said the Government had done “nothing of significance” to prepare for another weather disaster as it approached the first anniversary of last winter’s “havoc”.
“Incredibly we now have some families who are facing into a second Christmas without being able to return to their homes,” Mr Carey said.