Funding sought for flood relief plans at Ardcahan Bridge
A call for funding to be made available to advance flood relief plans on the R587 Macroom to Dunmanway road at Ardcahan Bridge was made in the Dáil by Fianna Fáil Deputy Aindrias Moynihan.
“The R587 is a key access route for West Cork along which traffic passes through Crookstown and Coppeen,” he said.
“There is great concern the route at Ardcahan Bridge which often floods with the result that the road is closed. Action must be taken to improve matters and to prevent flooding from blocking the road. It is not a matter of a quick fix. This is a special area of conservation with wildlife to take into account and there are costs associated with the studies required in that regard.”
In response, Minister of State Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran said flooding caused by the ponding of rainwater or a lack of capacity in surface water drainage systems are the responsibility of the local authority.
“The local authority is also responsible for funding and carrying out the maintenance, upkeep and improvement of its roads network infrastructure,” said Minister Moran
“It is open to Cork County Council to bring forward a proposal under the minor works scheme for viable measures at this location provided the scheme criteria are met. However, no application has been submitted under the minor flood mitigation works and coastal protection scheme for this location”, he added. Justice Charlie Flanagan said that following his appointment, one of the Taoiseach’s first acts was to appoint for the first time a specifically designated Minister for Rural Affairs with an appropriate budget.
“I acknowledge the recent announcement by the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Deputy Ring, of unprecedented funding under the town and village renewal scheme,” he said.
Minister Flanagan said he did not have the details of the village of Rostellan before him but he would be happy to request that an appropriate note be sent to the Deputy at the earliest opportunity.
“I assure the burghers of Rostellan that every effort will be made to deal with the issue raised,” he added. gender pay gap has shown no longer-term tendency to decline and, therefore, must be the focus of specific action.
Deputy Stanton said the principle of equal pay for women and men and for equal work or work of equal value has been part of Irish law for almost 45 years and was part of everyone’s contract of employment.
“The gender pay gap is somewhat different in that it is the difference between the average gross hourly pay of female and male employees.
Not respecting the principle of equal pay is likely to be a contributory factor to the gender pay gap, but there are a number of other causes as well,” he said.
Minister Stanton said that among the factors which interact in creating the pay gap, a number have an obvious gender dimension.
“I refer to traditional role models, gender segregation in education and in the labour market, the challenges of balancing work and family life, the difference in participation of men and women in family responsibilities, the availability of quality, affordable childcare facilities and out-of-school hours care and processes within organisations where imbalance needs to be addressed.”