Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 5 Feb 1992

Vol. 415 No. 4

Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Baldoyle (Dublin) Flood Relief Scheme.

Michael Joe Cosgrave

Question:

18 Mr. Cosgrave asked the Minister for the Environment when it is proposed to commence works on the Baldoyle flood relief scheme, at Grange Road, Baldoyle, Dublin 13; if he will outline (a) if funding has been made available in his Department for this scheme, (b) whether contracts have been prepared by his Department for this scheme, (c) if tenders have been invited in relation to the scheme and (d) when his Department will be in a position to commence such works; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Dr. O'Hanlon

I understand that revised contract documents, incorporating the results of a recently completed site investigation, will be submitted by Dublin County Council to my Department in the near future. In addition, the county council will have to submit a certificate confirming that all the planning, land acquisition, and wayleave arrangements have been completed.

The proposed scheme, when fully documented, will be examined in the light of existing commitments and the competing demands of other schemes.

Mr. McCartan

Will funds be available when all the matters have been put in order by the county council and submitted to the Department? As the Minister will appreciate, this issue has not come out of recent mist; it has been with his Department in one form or another for some considerable time. Can he say whether funding will be available for this scheme once the preliminary documentation has been dealt with?

Dr. O'Hanlon

I would be creating a precedent if I were to commit departmental funds in advance of the receipt of the necessary documentation from Dublin County Council. As I said, I accept the need for the scheme and it will be considered in the light of other commitments and competing demands.

Mrs. Owen

Can the Minister confirm that a proposal for a flood relief scheme for this area was with his Department when some of this area was covered by Dublin Corporation? Can he say how long his Department have been receiving requests for the scheme?

Dr. O'Hanlon

I do not have information when the first request was made, neither was I asked in the question about communication with my Department on this scheme.