'Fish life is important, but what about the lives of Johnny and Mary?' - Kilkenny TD questions Taoiseach

Local TD Peter ‘Chap’ Cleere has raised concerns over the slow pace of flood relief projects with the Taoiseach.

Speaking in the Dáil after recent disruption across Kilkenny communities, he said they were faced with significant backlogs for the implementation of effective flood relief schemes.

“I acknowledge there has been extensive consultations with local communities to achieve a solution that satisfies those communities and the needs of the local environment. However, the delivery has been delayed far too long,” he said. “The conversation needs to move to action. It is all about implementation and delivering effective solutions for these communities at risk. Let me give the Taoiseach a brief example. In Graignamanagh, my own town, there was a major flood issue in 2016. In 2018, funding was announced. In 2020, a design team was assigned.
TAP HERE FOR MORE LOCAL NEWS

“We are now in November 2025, and we have not even gone for planning permission yet. It is anticipated that the planning process will take two years. Construction will then start at the end of 2028, with a two-year timeframe for completion. That just gives an example of the length of time these projects are taking.

“I understand that fish life is important, but what about the lives of Johnny and Mary, living in a house that has been flooded? The people in Freshford, Graignamanagh, Thomastown and Inistioge are going to bed at night from November to March wondering if their houses will be flooded come the morning.”

Responding, the Taoiseach said he would take a look at those schemes and talk to the Minister of State with responsibility for the OPW, Deputy Moran, to see how we can accelerate this.

“I do not know why the planning process should take two years and that is something we need to analyse further but measures will come to Government in respect of critical infrastructure in the next number of weeks,” he said. “Flood relief schemes are taking too long because the urgency is very real.”