Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 March 2023
135. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he will provide an update on the Crossmolina flood relief scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10563/23]
View answerI refer to my previous update on this matter given to the House on 19th January of this year regarding the consent process for the River Deel Flood Relief scheme prepared by the Office of Public Works under the Arterial Drainage Acts 1945 to 1995.
An initial round of public consultation was held beginning on the 1st December 2020 and concluding on the 11th January 2021. Following this period of public consultation, my Department sought additional information regarding the scheme from the Office of Public Works.
The OPW provided this information to my Department in July 2021. On foot of receiving supplementary information of this nature, a further period of public consultation is then required. A second round of public consultation, inclusive of the supplemental information provided by the OPW, took place over the period from the 6th May 2022 to the 1st July 2022.
My Department has engaged independent environmental consultants to review the submissions received and carry out the necessary environmental assessments as required by EU Directives 2011/92 and 2014/52. On completion of this work, I expect that a recommendation will be made to me on whether to confirm the scheme. This work is currently being progressed.
