Vol. 561 No. 1
220 Ms M. Wallace asked the Minister for Finance if he has received the report on the River Tolka flooding at Dunboyne-Clonee; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that ?3.5 million is urgently required for same; if he has plans to provide this funding together with the balance of the ?7 million which would be required in year two; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3197/03]
221 Ms M. Wallace asked the Minister for Finance if he will meet with the Meath County Council representatives to discuss the report on the flooding of the River Tolka at Dunboyne-Clonee as a matter of urgency; and if an early date can be provided for such a meeting. [3198/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 220 and 221 together.
The Office of Public Works received the interim report, on possible flood alleviation measures on the River Tolka catchment in the County Meath area, earlier this month. Officials from the Office of Public Works have had meetings with Meath County Council in order to agree a programme of works which could be undertaken by the Office of Public Works on behalf of the County Council. Agreement has now been reached on a package of works which it is estimated will cost in the region of €300,000. The Office of Public Works will be undertaking emergency works from next week in the form of maintenance cleaning of the channel to remove debris and accumulated silt. More detailed works, which involve the construction of walls and embankments and the underpinning of bridges, will form part of a public consultation procedure by Meath County Council as required by Part 8 of the Planning and Development Regulations.
Not all of the recommendations contained in the interim report are being carried out at this time. Given the requirements for site investigations, detailed design of the works, public consultation and public procurement procedures, and environmental considerations it would take quite a considerable time to implement all the recommendations of the interim report. The concern of Meath County Council and Office of Public Works has been to devise a package of works which can be carried out before next winter and which will provide a substantial degree of protection should similar flood events recur. I am conscious also that the full report on the River Tolka catchment is due to be completed in May and will provide additional information on which decisions in relation to the entire Tolka catchment can be made.
I hope to meet the Meath County Council representatives in the near future to discuss the matter.
