Costs are racking up on the long awaited flood defence project for Cork with €13 million already spent on the design and consultation elements.
The Journal Investigates claims project costs have jumped from an estimated €140 million to €200 million with an additional €20 million for city walls.
The project has been the subject of strong objections around raised quay walls and the OPW says there has been significant enhancements since it was exhibited over a decade ago.
Conor O'Carroll of the Journal told RedFM News if work starts on the scheme in 2027 it will mark 18 years since the devastating flood of 2009 hit the city.
"We're still without a final design for the project, it's been so long since this was first concieved that it's really taking its time. If construction starts in mid 2027 it will have been 18 years since the flood. That's an extraordinary amount of time."
