Minister with responsibility for the Office of Public Works Kevin Boxer Moran (foreground): 'If you build on a floodplain, then I won’t protect you.' Photograph: PAHomes built on floodplains in the future will be afforded no Government protection, the Minister in charge of flood defences in the State has warned. The system known as the National Flood Forecasting and Warnings Service (NFFWS) was being developed by the OPW and Met Éireann, with its flood forecasting service in operation from 2024. Minister for Housing James Browne said in a recent parliamentary reply €1.9 million had been spent in 2025 out of an allocation of €4.3 million. So what are they going to do with €7 million this year if they can’t spend last year’s budget?” asked Farrelly.

Source: The Irish Times February 10, 2026 13:31 UTC