Vol. 533 No. 6
204 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance if he has sought a report from the local authority in regard to the flooding which took place in November 2000 at Leixlip, County Kildare; if action is planned to prevent a recurrence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10032/01]
213 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the extent to which his Department has reached conclusions in regard to the cause or causes of severe flooding affecting various locations in north Kildare in November 2000; the steps that have been taken to prevent a recurrence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10041/01]
214 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance if he has received a response from the local authority in regard to the flooding which took place at Maynooth, County Kildare in November 2000; the plans he has to prevent a recurrence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10042/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 204, 213 and 214 together.
The Commissioners of Public Works have sought details from Kildare County Council in relation to flooding in Kildare, in general, and both Maynooth and Leixlip were mentioned specifically. Acknowledgement of this request has been received from Kildare County Council and it has advised that the request is being dealt with and the relevant information will be forthcoming. Following receipt of and examination of the material requested, the Commissioners of Public Works will liaise with Kildare County Council with a view to determining how best to deal with the flooding problems in question.
205 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the position in relation to drainage works to alleviate flooding at Hazelhatch, Celbridge, County Kildare; the precise nature, scope and scale of the works involved; the extent to which funding is or has been made available; if all necessary negotiations with all parties involved have been concluded; when it is expected that the rel evant works will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10033/01]
The Shinkeen Stream, Hazelhatch, drainage scheme completed its public exhibition stage in December 2000. Observations from concerned parties have been considered and additional discussions have been entered into. The Commissioners of Public Works are in the process of preparing responses to all of these observations. Minor alterations to the scheme have also resulted from the observations submitted and the scheme includes channel improvements, channel realignment, bridge replacement and ancillary works such as fencing, spoil treatment, environmental mitigation measures, etc. These alterations are currently being costed and the scheme will be resubmitted, for confirmation to the Minister for Finance in late April-early May 2001.
The works programme is scheduled to be carried out over a period of six months but the current restrictions in relation to foot and mouth disease preclude the commissioners from determining a start date. If works cannot commence by June this year, environmental constraints may impact on the start date.
