Local authorities have been asked to identify interim flood measures to address immediate challenges facing communities due to weather conditions, a meeting of senior Government ministers has heard.
The meeting, which was attended by the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste, heard that 100 flood relief schemes are under way.
In a statement, the Government said that Minister of State Kevin Boxer Moran said that “interim solutions are required”.
It comes as a Status Yellow rainfall warning remains in place for three counties in the east, with Met Éireann warning of heavy rain, leading to river flooding and difficult travel conditions.
The alert – for Dublin, Louth and Wicklow – is in effect until 9pm.
A separate warning for counties Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford, Cork and Waterford has expired.
The meeting also heard that adverse weather conditions will continue throughout the week and into the weekend.
Earlier, Minister of State Mary Butler said that the Government wants to expedite the planning process for the introduction of flood relief schemes.
She said that there is a lot of annoyance and frustration among people over the length of time it takes to put a flood relief process in place.
She also said the Government is looking in general at cutting the red tape for planning issues in relation to development.
Meanwhile, Sinn Féin leader has strongly criticised the Government’s response to the recent floods.
Mary Lou McDonald said that Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have spent the last week blaming everyone else for their own failures.
“Flooding is not alone predictable, it is also preventable,” she said.
“And the reality is that flood prevention schemes have been delayed and delayed and delayed.
Ms McDonald said that schemes need to be delivered and also called for the swift allocation of funds to repair the many roads damaged by flooding.
‘Very high’ risk of flooding, warns NECG
The National Emergency Coordination Group (NECG) warned the risk of flooding across the east and southeast regions is “very high” in the coming days.
NECG chairperson Keith Leonard said peak levels of rainfall would be seen today, adding that emergency services and local authorities are on alert.
Mr Leonard said there are difficult travelling conditions across the most of Leinster at this stage.
Roads are badly affected, he said, particularly local roads, with some of them almost impassable.
He told RTÉ’s News at One that these are difficult conditions for local authorities who are trying to pump water and protect as many areas as the possible throughout the region.
He said the entire Leinster area is of concern, but particularly Dublin and Wicklow around Thursday evening.
Listen: Latest update from RTÉ’s News at One
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Wexford County Council said that a river flood advisory will remain in place for the county until 11am on Friday.
River levels in Wexford are registering as ‘high’ and will continue as such for the next few days.
A council spokesperson said: “The ground remains saturated and rain continues to fall, combined with high river levels and high tides this this week, leading to potential further flooding in these areas.
“Surface water levels are elevated in the region so motorists should remain careful.
“Heavy rainfall is expected again on Thursday, and rainfall warnings are possible again in Wexford later in the week.”
The spokesperson added: “We are in a period of high spring tides. Strong winds and high surge levels may lead to wave overtopping and coastal flooding and the period of High Tide Advisory in the county is in place until 10pm on Thursday.
“High tides will further reduce the capacity for river discharge and increase the risk of flooding in low-lying coastal areas during high tide. This means that coastal levels are high for the remainder of the week.”
Cork’s Wandesford Quay to close
Wandesford Quay in Cork will be closed before high tide this evening and at high tide tomorrow morning.
Cork City Council said that no property damage is expected, but surface water is expected on Wandesford Quay, Lavitts Quay, Union Quay and Kyrl’s Quay.
Motorists are advised to avoid parking on Wandesford Quay and pedestrians are urged to exercise care in the affected areas during high tide.
Cork County Council warned of “a higher risk of runoff and localised flooding” due to recent heavy rainfall and waterlogged soils.
It said that its severe weather assessment team “is monitoring conditions closely”, adding that crews are on standby.
In Dublin, Fingal County Council said that sandbags have been placed along the River Liffey from the Strawberry Beds to Laraghcon to help reduce any potential impacts in the area.
It said it is also “keeping a close eye on river levels and coastal conditions”.
South Dublin County Council said that “all available crews are on call to respond to any issues with trucks preloaded with sandbags, for distribution if needed”.
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