Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 April 2024
222. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if the OPW will provide new stacked timbers, known as stoplogs, or wooden panels known as flashboards, to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17525/24]
View answerThe Office of Public Works (OPW) is responsible for the maintenance of arterial drainage schemes completed under the Arterial Drainage Acts, 1945 and 1995, as amended.
The property in question is adjacent to the Mulkear Ballymackeogh Certified Drainage Scheme. In line with the access lane into the property a gap has been formed in the flood defence embankment, which enables the resident to access the banks of the river. Placed within the gap in the embankment are two pillars and a demountable barrier in the form of removable timber stoplogs. This arrangement enables the resident to install and remove the demountable barrier depending on the time of year and flood levels in the Newport River.
While the OPW has no responsibility for the operation or maintenance of the stoplogs, it previously replaced the stoplog for the resident as a once off measure. In 2023, the OPW undertook refurbishment works to the flood defences adjacent to the relevant property. While planning these works, the OPW proposed the construction of a continuous embankment adjacent to the relevant property, with "up-and-over" access to be made available to the resident. The OPW did not proceed with this proposal, as the resident’s preference is to maintain the demountable arrangement.
While it is not typical for the OPW to fund, provide, maintain or operate demountable barriers when they do not form part of a Certified Drainage Scheme or on the request of private landowners, the OPW subsequently proposed to replace the existing timber stoplogs with new timber stoplogs. An agreement was not reached with the resident, who requested the installation of aluminium stoplogs, which was not considered feasible by the OPW.
As a goodwill gesture, the OPW's South West Drainage Maintenance Section (SWDMS) will engage once more with the resident. However, the OPW notes that it has no responsibility for the efficacy, operation or maintenance of the current arrangement. The OPW recommends that the resident undertake their own full Health & Safety risk assessment and ensures that appropriate measures are in place to provide for their own safety and that of other residents when operating the current and any future demountable barrier system.
