Frustration voiced over Portarlington flood plan delays

A Laois Councillor expressed frustration that it will have taken six years for Portarlington’s Flood Relief Scheme to reach planning stage. 

Independent Cllr Aidan Mullins asked in a motion: “That Laois County Council give an update on progress made on the proposed flood relief scheme for Portarlington”.

In a written response from Capital Projects Office, Adrian Barrett stated that “the preferred option for the Portarlington FRS has been identified. Work relating to the design, the Environmental Impact Assessment Report and progressing the necessary documentation for Planning is ongoing. The projected date for submission to An Coimisiún Pleanála is expected to be end of Q 3 2026”.

Cllr Mullins said in August 2020 a firm was appointed to develop the scheme which he said consists of the construction of a number of embankments. He said a person could “go blind” reading all the reports produced on the scheme in the meantime. He mentioned public consultation, topographical surveys, surveys of trees and hedges, environmental surveys, CCTV surveys, ecological and geotechnical surveys. 

“Is it just in this country that this crap goes on?” he asked. Cllr Mullins quoted the late Cllr  Tom Moran who said, “we are protecting snails and rare weeds”.  

“I just don’t understand it, by the time it is put into Portarlington I probably won’t be around,” he remarked.  

Director of Services Julie Bergin said she understood the frustration but there are guidelines and criteria to follow with such projects. “Everything you have said is the truth,” she told Cllr Mullins. 

Independent Cllr Ben Brennan said he believed the government was to blame. 

“There is no-one dredging the rivers anymore and that’s the problem”, said Cllr Brennan. 

“There’s a crowd up in Dublin. Civil servants pressing buttons and all that and they haven’t a bull’s notion what’s going on at all outside of Dublin”, said Cllr Brennan. 

Independent Cllr Aisling Moran agreed with Cllr Brennan and said despite having good planners at Laois County Council, outside planners are being brought in to carry out the work. 

She said every other country in Europe cleans out their rivers. She said the EU Water Framework Directive “is telling you that you can clean the rivers but we don’t do it”. 

The issue was discussed at the latest meeting of Portarlington Graiguecullen Municipal District.