Mary Upton
Question:80 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Finance the progress made with regard to the proposed review of national flooding policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14656/03]
Written Answers. - National Flooding Policy.
On 27 November 2002, I announced a major review of national flooding policy would be carried out. The purpose of the review is to assess the extent of the flooding problem, clarify roles and responsibilities among the various State agencies involved in the issue of flood relief, and recommend practical action to deal with the problem more effectively in the future.
The review group, which I chair, comprises of the Office of Public Works, Departments of Finance, Environment and Local Government, Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Agriculture and Food, the County and City Managers Association, IBEC, and the IFA. The first meeting of the group took place on 17 January 2003, following which an advertisement was placed in the three national daily newspapers inviting submissions from all interested individuals and bodies wishing to have their views considered by the review group. I am advised that 70 written submissions were received as part of this process and all of these are currently being examined.
In addition, the review group also identified a number of key stakeholders whose inputs they believe are very important to the development of future policy and meetings with each of these bodies have been requested and in most cases now completed.
To date the full group has met four times to consider a wide range of issues and I remain confident of being in a position to present its report to Government by late autumn of this year as originally projected.
Question No. 81 answered with Question No. 70