Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 November 2013
372. Deputy Anne Ferris asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the reasons behind the substantial two year mid-contract delay to the construction of the Bray flood protection works, a delay which is increasing the flood risk in Bray, County Wickow. [46476/13]
View answerThe contractors for the Bray flood relief scheme, SIAC Construction Limited, were appointed by Bray Town Council, as Contracting Authority under a design-build arrangement whereby aspects of the detailed design of the works are undertaken by the contractor.
Substantial elements of the works have been completed by the contractors, including the construction of the new culvert and the underpinning of Bray Bridge and river regrading, soil nailing and erosion protection in Area 5. I understand that these works will be of considerable benefit in reducing flood risk.
However, a dispute arose between the Town Council and the contractor in relation to the latter's design proposals for the principal remaining elements of the works, which differed fundamentally from those contained in the contract. The contractor referred the dispute to formal third party conciliation, as provided for in the contract. The parties subsequently agreed to extend the ambit of the conciliation to encompass other outstanding issues on the contract. The conciliation process, which is conducted on a confidential and without prejudice basis, has been ongoing for some time and in this period the contractor has been making very little progress on the scheme. The outcome of the conciliation, which is expected to conclude shortly, will determine how the remainder of the scheme will be progressed.
While the delay in the project is regrettable, the works completed to date have reduced the flood risk considerably and Bray Town Council and the Office of Public Works remain committed to completing the Bray flood relief scheme as quickly as possible, having regard to seasonal constraints on works in the channel due to environmental factors.
