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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 6 Nov 2001

Vol. 543 No. 2

Written Answers. - Flood Relief.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

559 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the action which has been taken by the responsible bodies under his Department's aegis arising from the severe flooding which took place at Maynooth, Leixlip, Celbridge and other locations throughout north County Kildare in November 2000; if action has been taken arising from reports commissioned in the wake of this flooding; the timescale in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26973/01]

Arising from the severe flooding experienced in some parts of the country in early November 2000, I advised the Dáil that I would convene the interdepartmental committee on peacetime emergencies to review the response of the relevant organisations and to identify any improvements which might be made for the future. The IDC was convened in early December and set up a working group, comprised of representatives of the emergency services and public utilities, to undertake the review. The review was undertaken using an emergency management framework, dealing with mitigation; emergency planning and preparation; response and recovery.

A report of this review was prepared, approved by the IDC and circulated to local authorities, with my approval, on 12 April 2001. The report outlines the action taken by public organisations in respect of the flooding and makes recommendations for changes or improvements to existing arrangements, to enhance the response by emergency services to flood events. Local authorities were asked to carefully examine a number of the recommendations that came within their remit and to put in place arrangements for their ongoing implementation, as soon as possible. They were also asked to examine other recommendations in the report and assist in their implementation, where possible.
I understand from Kildare County Council that they have commissioned reports on flood alleviation measures in respect of a number of areas, including Maynooth, Kill-Johnstown, Celbridge, Straffan and Clane. The Maynooth and Kill-Johnstown reports have been completed and the council has been in communication with the Office of Public Works regarding funding for flood alleviation schemes in these areas. When the reports commissioned for the other three locations have been completed and examined, the council will determine appropriate follow up action.
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