Martin Daly TD asked the Minister for Public Expenditure: Flood Relief Schemes

Martin Daly, the newly elected Fianna Fáil TD for Roscommon‑Galway, took to the Dáil on 28 May 2026 to press the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation for an update on the Ballinasloe flood relief scheme. The question focused on the projected timelines for moving beyond the first‑stage development and design phase of the project and on when residents in the most affected parts of the town – notably Station Road and Sarsfield Road – can expect flood‑mitigation works to begin.

Ballinasloe, situated in County Galway, has suffered repeated flooding in recent years, prompting the local authority to launch a comprehensive relief scheme. The scheme’s first stage, which involved detailed design and feasibility studies, was completed earlier this year. TD Daly asked the Minister to clarify when the next phase, which would see the construction of flood barriers and drainage improvements, is likely to commence and how the project will be funded.

The TD, a practising general practitioner from Ballygar in County Roscommon, has been a long‑time Fianna Fáil activist and former president of the Irish Medical Organisation. Since his election in November 2024, he has been appointed the party’s spokesperson on health and disability, and he has continued to run his GP practice alongside his parliamentary duties. In the question he highlighted the importance of timely action to protect the livelihoods of Ballinasloe residents, many of whom have already endured significant property damage and disruption.

The Minister was asked to provide a concrete timetable and to confirm the allocation of resources for the next stage of the scheme. No response was given in the transcript, leaving the question unanswered at this time. The issue remains a priority for the TD, who has urged the government to prioritise flood protection for vulnerable communities across the country.

For more details, see the Oireachtas record of the question.

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