COMMENT: Poor planning contributed to flooding problem

WHO’S to blame for the recent floods? Well, we could try to pin it on global warming but that’s not going to be much comfort to the hundreds of homes and businesses still counting the cost of a disastrous winter.

As the massive mop-up gets underway, the Government is already wringing its hands of the matter, seeking instead to shift the emphasis to the insurance industry. Of course, the morality of declining flood insurance cover must be called into question and criticised. But insurance is business and like any other business it is driven by profit – morality simply doesn’t come into it.

In some cases, flooding has little to do with so-called acts of God and more to do with barmy planning decisions. The property gold rush of the past few decades has seen blocks of apartments (with underground carparks) built close to waterways. Those pleasant river views may have looked enticing in the glossy brochures but the reality has been quite different for many purchasers. You’d have to wonder if any thought was given to the potential flooding risks posed by these locations, either by the developers or householders themselves.

Fears were expressed during the Celtic Tiger years about massive housing developments being built on flood plains. Again, these concerns appear to have been largely ignored, where demand for property seemingly took precedence over proper planning. 

The planning process is largely controlled by our local authorities – all organs of the State – so it could be argued that regulatory failures were partly responsible for some of the recent flood damage.

Rather than trying to bring insurance companies to heel, the Government needs to look at setting up its own self-insurance fund for flood-hit regions. The State would have to pay out of such a fund in cases where bad planning decisions played a part in damage or loss experienced by a family or business. Any householders declined insurance cover would then have the option of signing up to a State-backed scheme and would pay premiums at market rates.

The floods may have receded but the blame game is now well underway. This helps nobody. What is now required is a workable solution that will provide flood victims with the protection they need for the future. And if that means the State footing some of the bill, so be it. It’s time for the Government to show leadership by taking the State’s share of responsibility for the mistakes of the past.

t.mccullagh@dublinpeople.com