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Office of Public Works

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 September 2021

Thursday, 16 September 2021

Questions (200, 201, 202)

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

200. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will publish the work programme under the arterial drainage scheme maintenance programme; the works that are planned; the dates; the screening processes required; and the publication date of the screening reports. [44321/21]

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Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

201. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the way in which he understands the obligation to publish in a timely manner the appropriate assessments reports for works under the arterial drainage scheme maintenance programme; and if he will undertake to publish them three months before work. [44322/21]

View answer

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

202. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the internal processes for conducting appropriate assessment for works under the arterial drainage scheme maintenance programme; if there has been any external review of the adequacy of the reports; and the consultation which has occurred with NGOs regarding screening. [44323/21]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 200, 201 and 202 together.

The OPW is responsible for the maintenance of Arterial Drainage Schemes and catchment drainage schemes designated under the Arterial Drainage Acts of 1945 and 1995. The OPW carries out an annual programme of statutory Arterial Drainage Maintenance to a total of 11,500 km of river channel and approximately 730 km of embankments.

The annual programme is currently available for inspection by appointment in hard copy format in the main regional drainage offices of the OPW at:

- OPW East Region, Newtown, Trim, Co. Meath

- OPW South West Region, Templemungret House, Mungret, Co. Limerick

- OPW West Region, Headford, Co. Galway

The annual programme comprises a large volume of maps and channel lists and regional staff actively facilitate queries by landowners and other interested parties on the proposed works. The network of watercourses and embankments maintained by the OPW under the arterial drainage maintenance programme is available to view on www.floodinfo.ie/map/drainage_map/ .

The OPW undertook a Strategic Environmental Assessment involving a large-scale public consultation process in the development of the arterial drainage maintenance programme of activities for 2018 – 2021. A full description of the Arterial Drainage Maintenance Service is published in the ‘National Arterial Drainage Maintenance List of Activities 2018 – 2021’, along with the associated environmental documents. A further public consultation is being carried out later this year as part of the next cycle of arterial drainage maintenance activities.

In terms of Appropriate Assessment screening and conducting Appropriate Assessments for arterial drainage maintenance works, the processes are published in OPW’s ‘Environmental Guidance: Drainage Maintenance and Construction’. The OPW generally procures external independent environmental consultants to carry out environmental assessments including Appropriate Assessments.

The Arterial Drainage Maintenance Service operates a national framework of five-year Appropriate Assessments for thirty-one catchments and all associated Screening reports, Natura Impact Assessments and AA Determinations are published on the OPW website at /www.gov.ie/en/collection/4ee2fc-appropriate-assessment/. Where additional appropriate assessments are conducted for specific sites, the associated Natura Impact Statements are being published on the OPW website.

All Appropriate Assessments for arterial drainage maintenance activities require a statutory six-week consultation process with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage (National Parks & Wildlife Service) as per the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011. A six-week consultation process is also conducted in parallel with Inland Fisheries Ireland.

In late June 2021, new statutory requirements for public consultation of Appropriate Assessments were introduced through the European Union (Birds and Natural Habitats) (Amendment) Regulations 2021. Accordingly, for all new Appropriate Assessments for arterial drainage maintenance, the OPW will conduct the public consultation process for a minimum of 30 days, including publication of the Natura Impact Statement and any other relevant assessment reports. NGOs will have the opportunity to participate in the public consultation process and to contribute to the determination of all drainage maintenance Appropriate Assessments.

The determination of the Appropriate Assessment will be made after all consultations have been completed. Works can only proceed where it has been determined that the works in combination with other plans or projects, will not adversely affect the integrity of any European Natura 2000 site. 

As part of ongoing improvements in the delivery of information services, the OPW will continue to review the information resources relating to arterial drainage maintenance work programmes that are currently available through the OPW websites at www.gov.ie/en/organisation/office-of-public-works and at www.floodinfo.ie.

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