Limerick Fine Gael TD Patrick O’Donovan and Fine Gael Councillor Stephen Keary have welcomed news from Limerick City and County Council that work on the Foynes Flood Relief Scheme is to commence in May. The scheme is been funded by the Government through Minister Simon Harris TD at the Office of Public Works.
Patrick O’Donovan said he had kept in constant contact with the OPW and the Council in relation to the delivery of the scheme and had ensured at an early stage through his work with Minister Simon Harris that the scheme was included in the national investment programme for flood relief.
“Since I was first elected to the Dáil I have worked closely with the community in Foynes to ensure that the scheme was delivered and as a Government TD I used every opportunity to push the case for Foynes, often alone. Together with my colleague Cllr Stephen Keary from the Adare Rathkeale Municipal District we kept in constant contact with the Council who were asked by the OPW to award the contract. A number of state and local agencies were part of the process to design the scheme and I was pleased that OPW worked well with Limerick City and County Council, the Shannon Foynes Port Company, CIE and the local community in Foynes to bring the scheme to this stage.”
Patrick O’Donovan said that it was important to point out that the scheme is on target to be delivered on time. “I know that some people had concerns in relation to when the scheme would be delivered however I believe that this latest news from the Council will provide some further clarity locally. It was unfortunate that some people attempted to spread misinformation and fear in the area in relation to the scheme for some sort of political advantage and I was glad that the local community in Foynes saw this for what it was and accepted the plan that was laid out by the Office of Public Works.”
Cllr Stephen Keary said that he would be keeping a close eye on progress of the scheme within the Council and would ask for regular updates to be provided. He said “I am anxious to keep the community in Foynes updated on this because we all know the terrible damage that was caused to properties there from flooding and we want to make sure it doesn’t happen again.
Patrick O’Donovan concluded his remarks by adding “This is good news for Foynes, and both Cllr Stephen Keary and I will continue to work to ensure the completion of this scheme on time and on target and as a TD for County Limerick I am delighted that the outgoing Government has delivered this.”
