Minister of State with Responsibility for the Office of Public Works (OPW) Kieran O'Donnell has said he wants to ensure recent flooding which caused devastation on Bridge Street in Killybegs, Co Donegal "does not happen again".
Minister O'Donnell met business and home owners whose properties were damaged during Storm Bert.
He said an intensive body of work is under way between Donegal County Council and the OPW with a focus on "interim measures".
He added he will hold a meeting in two weeks’ time to seek updates from his officials and Donegal County Council.
"I want to reassure the residents the State stands behind them to make sure we put the measures in place to ensure this flooding does not happen again," he said.
The minister heard first hand the testimonies of those who were directly affected by the flooding over two weeks ago.
Finula Coughlan owner of Ship Shape Launderette and Dry Cleaners showed the minister the damage flooding caused to machinery in her business.
She told the minister how the power of the flood water uprooted a gas tank from its plinth and tossed it.
"Luckily, the pipe didn’t rupture. It’s very difficult to know how to proceed from here," Ms Coughlan added.
Ellen Ann Orpen from Killybegs told the minister about the emotional toll of the flooding.
"We don’t deserve this. Life has been devastated.
"It will never be the same again," she said.
Yoann Ponsin from France, who has an apartment on Bridge Street, said he "lost everything" when the water level reached one metre in his apartment.
The delegation included officials from Donegal County Council, the OPW and local political representatives.
Minister O’Donnell said he has asked Donegal County Council to expedite the flood relief scheme planned for Killybegs. He said a body of work must take place that will take "a period of time."
"In the interim, I want to see short-term measures put in place to ensure that what happened here recently will not happen again," Minister O’Donnell concluded.
Gráinne Cafferty of Donegal Refrigeration Limited said the minister listened and gave them "hope" during his visit.
"We’re thrilled with that. There are people in this street who smiled today who haven’t smiled in a few weeks."
