Minister Boxer Moran Commits to Urgent Interim Flood Protection for Bunclody

A vital commitment has been secured from Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation Minister Kevin Boxer Moran, to implement urgent interim flood protection measures for Bunclody.

It follows the devastating floods from January that impacted homes and businesses in the area causing widespread damage and disruption.

In a meeting held  at Government Buildings, North Wexford Deputy Malcolm Byrne, alongside Councillor Barbara Ann Murphy met with Minister Moran and a group of residents and business owners directly affected by the January flooding.

The Minister, who hails from Athlone and has personal experience with flood-related issues, listened to the stories shared by the Bunclody community. He expressed his empathy for the situation and committed to taking swift action to mitigate future flood risks.

Minister Moran confirmed that, while long-term flood management solutions will require extensive planning, immediate and interim measures will be introduced in the coming weeks.

“The priority is to ensure that what happened in January doesn’t happen again,” Deputy Malcolm Byrne said “While the planning for long-term solutions might take more time, we will implement interim flood protection measures immediately. These will include barriers and nature-based solutions to safeguard the most affected areas.”

Deputy Byrne, who has been working closely with the Minister and local stakeholders for several months, welcomed the commitment. “This meeting was a positive step forward for Bunclody,” he said. “We are pleased to hear that Minister Moran understands the urgency of the situation and is prioritizing immediate action to protect homes and businesses in the area.”

The decision to focus on Bunclody has been met with relief by the local community, many of whom had felt that the area was not receiving the attention it needed in the wake of the January floods. The Minister’s commitment to act swiftly has raised hopes that the most vulnerable parts of Bunclody will be better protected in the near future.

In addition to the interim measures, there are ongoing discussions about longer-term solutions, which will involve more detailed planning and investment. However, the interim steps are expected to offer much-needed protection in the short term.

The meeting was also attended by North Wexford Fine Gael Deputy Brian Brennan who has welcomed the news and said the Tanaiste is also on board with the measures