Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 April 2013
494. Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on whether the natural and historic access for floodwater to the Old Dry-Arch Bridge was by way of a clearly identifiable channel, known locally as the Old Bed of the River Suir, that runs south of lands (details supplied) at Greenane in Clonmel, County Tipperary. [16137/13]
View answer495. Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views that the most likely route for floodwater is a straight line and that the median line between the recently constructed berms at the Old Bridge and Greenane, designed to channel floodwater to the New Dry-Arch Bridge, is through land (details supplied) in Clonmel County Tipperary. [16138/13]
View answer507. Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will confirm that the raised banks that confine the Auk Stream West, that were mistakenly omitted from the design phase of Clonmel flood relief scheme, prevent access of high frequency floodwater from the land of a person (details supplied) to the designated spillway of the new Dry-Arch Bridge and as a consequence, the person's lands at Greenane will suffer increased interference during all flood frequencies, including high frequency events, as a result of the Office of Public Works flood relief works. [16356/13]
View answer508. Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform regarding flood measures in Clonmel, County Tipperary, if he will agree that, irrespective of the planned works to clear the substantial obstructions from the exhibited flowpath, the demarcated flowpath or spillway is neither natural nor efficient as it would require out of bank floodwater to make two right angled turns to access the new Dry-Arch Bridge. [16357/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 494, 495, 507 and 508 together.
As the Deputy is aware, the matters referred to have been the subject of a substantial volume of correspondence and communications over an extended period and the position of the Commissioners of Public works in relation to these matters has been set out very clearly and comprehensively.
The raised banks of the Auk Stream West existed prior to the Clonmel West flood relief works in Clonmel. There was no interference to the Auk Stream adjacent to or within landowner's property. I am advised that works were carried out along a short stretch of the Auk Stream West upstream of his lands. These particular works do not cause increased frequency or depth of flooding to the landowner's property. However, it has already been acknowledged that the scheme works, as a whole, will increase the likely depth of flooding during less frequent flood events, and the property owner was advised of his entitlement to claim compensation in respect of such loss under the relevant legislative provisions.
In relation to the demarcated flowpath, my officials advise that this is within the River Suir flood plain across which river waters flowed in the past and will flow during times of flood, and they are satisfied with the efficiency of the designed scheme.
The Commissioners of Public Works considered all feasible options for a flood relief scheme for Clonmel Town and the scheme, as designed and constructed, combines a number of flood relief measures which represent the most economically beneficial and environmentally sustainable solution to the flooding problems in Clonmel. I am advised that, while natural and historic conditions would be noted in the design of a flood relief scheme, the designers would deal with the existing topography of the area at the time of design.
I understand that the most likely route for flood water will depend on the topography of the area in question and that flood water does not necessarily flow in a straight line but will flow along the path of least resistance under the influence of gravity. I am advised that the embankments constructed at Green Lane and Greenane were constructed within the flood plain of the River Suir. They were built to protect existing properties in Clonmel from flooding and are part of the integrated design of the flood relief scheme and, as stated above, my officials are fully satisfied with the scheme design.
