Ned O'Keeffe
Question:208 Mr. N. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding the implementation of flood relief measures in a specific location (details supplied) in County Cork. [29716/03]
Written Answers. - Flood Relief.
The Office of Public Works commissioned consultants in 2002 to carry out feasibility studies to assess flood risk and to develop flood alleviation schemes in the towns of Mallow and Fermoy. Engineering reports have recently been completed for both areas.
The next stage of this process under the Arterial Drainage Acts would be to bring both schemes forward to statutory public exhibition. As the Deputy will be aware, I initiated a review of national flood policy in November 2002, in order to clarify the roles and responsibilities of the various agencies involved and to develop a cohesive national flooding policy. The work of the review group has now been completed and will be submitted to Government shortly. The findings of the review group will have an important influence on the whole flood management area in the future. The progression of the proposed schemes in Mallow and Fermoy will, therefore, depend first, on the recommendations contained in the flood policy review and, second, the availability of the necessary capital funding over the next few years for flood relief schemes.
Jimmy Deenihan
Question:209 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Finance the Office of Public Works's future plans to provide further pumping stations in the Cashen River flood plain, County Kerry in view of the success of the existing one; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29738/03]
I would refer the Deputy to my reply of 30 September 2003 in this matter. The situation has not changed since then. It is premature at this stage to judge whether the trial pump has been a success because there has not been a significant flood event in the area since it was installed. The Commissioners of Public Works will not be in a position to decide whether to install any further pumping stations in the Cashen River flood plain until experts assessment of the operation of the trial pump in a significant flood situation is available.