Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 November 2023
50. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the current position of the Blackpool flood relief scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52140/23]
View answerThe Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform acts as the competent authority for the confirmation of flood relief schemes submitted under the Arterial Drainage Acts 1945 and 1995 as amended. The process for examining the schemes submitted to my Department is set out under the European Union (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Arterial Drainage) Regulations 2019.
In line with the regulations, to ensure that I have access to sufficient expertise to examine these schemes and make a conclusion on the environmental impacts, my Department has contracted independent environmental consultants to carry out the relevant assessments and examination of the proposed River Bride Flood Relief Scheme in Blackpool, Cork.
With regards to an update on the progression of the scheme, in early 2021, the scheme received Ministerial confirmation under Section 7 of the Regulations. This decision was then subject to Judicial Review, during which a stay was also granted on works being carried out pursuant to the confirmation of the scheme, pending the resolution of these proceedings.
In early 2022, my Department conceded the matter on a single ground related to public consultation procedures as part of the confirmation process and consented to an order reverting the evaluation of the Blackpool Flood Relief scheme back to an earlier phase of the process. On foot of the outcome of these proceedings, my Department sought legal advice on matters relevant to the confirmation process. This informed a request for supplementary information which was made to the OPW in February of 2022.
In October 2022, the OPW submitted supplementary information following the request made by my Department. This information has been examined by the environmental consultants and a report has been submitted to me recommending specific areas of the assessments which will require further supplementary information in order to reach a reasoned conclusion on the environmental impacts of the proposed works. Having considered the independent advice received, I have accepted this recommendation and have sought supplementary information from the OPW in accordance with Section 7B(4) of the Regulations.
