Vol. 466 No. 6
35 Miss M. Wallace asked the Minister for Finance the current position regarding works to be carried out on the Nanny River at Duleek, County Meath; the funding provided in 1996 for these works; the date of commencement of the work; if he will give details of the work to be carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11979/96]
A major engineering investigation has been carried out by a firm of consulting engineers on behalf of the Office of Public Works to determine the causes of, and to devise solutions for, the flooding problems at Duleek, County Meath. Proposals to remedy the problem are being assessed to ensure that whatever works are eventually undertaken are compatible with the environment and can be economically justified.
The main works being suggested for the Duleek scheme are concentrated in and about the town itself and the confluence of the Nanny and Paramadden rivers and involve channel works, construction of embankments along these watercourses and works to some roads in the area. However, the full extent of the works has not yet been finalised pending completion of the environment impact assessment and cost benefit analysis.
It is envisaged that the results of the various investigations should be available during the summer and provided the proposals are found to be economically viable and environmentally compatible, scheme documentation to meet the statutory requirements of the Arterial Drainage Acts will then be prepared. It is expected, therefore, that a flood relief scheme for Duleek will reach public exhibition stage in the autumn, when interested parties will have an opportunity to comment on the scheme proposals, with works commencing on site later in the year and running into 1997.
