Flooding on Galway-Limerick rail line to be explored by Rural Development Committee

The Committee led by Joe Carey TD also will seek to identify opportunities for boosting investment in rail infrastructure and rolling stock nationwide.

Witnesses scheduled to speak starting at 10:30 a.m. in Committee Room 4, Leinster House, include:

• Koen Verbruggen, director of the Geological Survey of Ireland;
• Ted McCormack and Owen Naughton, leaders of the GSI’s Groundwater Flood Programme;
• National Parks and Wildlife Service principals John Fitzgerald and Brian Lucas;
• Office of Public Works Commissioner John Sydenham responsible for flood risk management, regional engineer Cian Ó Dónaill and the principal of engineering services, Liam Basquille;
• Clare County Council senior engineers Tom Tiernan and John Leahy; and
• Iarnród Éireann Chief Executive Jim Meade and Colin Hedderly, the rail company’s senior track and structures engineer.

“The rail line at Ballycar between Ennis and Limerick has been repeatedly shut down by floodwater for many years. The problem appears only to be worsening, driven by the process of climate change and rising groundwater levels,” said Deputy Carey.

“The Committee hopes to focus minds on identifying the root cause, or interconnected causes, of the flooding and the most appropriate mitigation measures -- because rural Ireland needs more reliable and efficient transport links.”

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