Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 May 2015
161. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the Office of Public Works will complete works at a location (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19774/15]
View answerThe Office of Public Works (OPW) has included in its 2015 programme of works the refurbishment of this stretch of Flood Defence of approx 1 kilometre in length at Garrane, Killorglin, Co. Kerry. An access haul road was constructed late last year to facilitate this flood defence refurbishment work.
Several residences have been constructed at this location approximately 1.5 metres below tide level in an area protected by a peat flood defence constructed and maintained by OPW. OPW is engaged in negotiations with affected landowners about the prospect of relocating an existing back drain to allow the construction of a more substantial designed flood defence to defend against the extreme events experienced at this location and to account for the very poor adjoining geology. The substantially stronger flood defence at this location requires an increase in land mass to support the greater footprint. This in turn requires the back filling of the existing back drain and the construction of a new offset back drain with associated sluice structures.
OPW is also in ongoing discussions with the National Parks and Wildlife Service as the location of the proposed works is within a designated Special Area of Conservation.
