Vol. 567 No. 5
219 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if he will publish the report on the flooding at the River Tolka, Dublin; the timetable for implementation; if action regarding the insurance problems for residents will be examined; and if all residents will be assisted with the maximum support, advice and assistance with all matters relating to the flooding. [14538/03]
I am informed by my officials that Dublin City Council, which is the contracting authority for the greater Dublin drainage study, which includes a full study on the River Tolka catchment, expects to receive a draft technical report on the River Tolka catchment from the consultants, M.C. O'Sullivan and Company later this month. This will require detailed technical examination by the contracting authority and the Office of Public Works. While the draft technical report is being considered the consultants will carry out an evaluation of the issues raised in third party submissions and will also complete a cost-benefit analysis on the recommended scheme. The contracting authority expects a draft final report before the end of July.
When the full report is completed, it should provide additional information on the entire catchment of the Tolka and this along with the items in the interim report, which have not yet been implemented, will provide the basis on which decisions will be made on further flood alleviation measures. Decisions on the provision of funding for a flood relief scheme on the catchment can only be made when the final report has been fully examined. The group undertaking the review of national flooding policy, which I set up late last year and which is now well under way, has met with the Irish Insurance Federation to discuss all the relevant issues in this area in detail. Regular communication will be developed between the IIF and the body charged with future responsibility for flood management in the country, an issue which is also under consideration as part of the review.
As I have outlined to the Deputy before, the Office of Public Works has been giving every assistance in these areas since the severe flooding from the River Tolka last November. In the immediate aftermath of the flooding the Office of Public Works mobilised its resources to carry out emergency works as three houses off Tolka Road were in danger of subsiding into the river. The work involved constructing a new wall along the Tolka to the rear of these houses. The Office of Public Works has also, since January, been carrying out further flood alleviation measures, which were contained in the interim report prepared by the consultants carrying out the flood study on the River Tolka for Dublin City Council. Further works including the construction of walls and embankments, the replacement of Woodville Road Footbridge and the maintenance cleaning of the channel have all been ongoing in this period. Indeed, the Office of Public Works will continue these interim works until the autumn when they are due to be completed.
220 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Finance the outcome of his meeting with the Irish Insurance Federation regarding home insurance in flood affected areas; if his review group on flooding has had a further meeting with the Insurance Federation; the matters discussed and agreements reached; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14624/03]
I met with the Irish Insurance Federation (IIF) on 6 December 2002 to listen to its views, concerns and proposals in relation to the problem of flooding in Ireland. It was a very constructive meeting. The IIF welcomed my earlier decision to set up a group to undertake a review of national flooding policy and to develop a cohesive national flooding policy. This review, which I chair, is now well under way and is currently involved in a comprehensive public consultation process which not only involves close examination of the 70 written submissions received, but also a series of meetings with key bodies to discuss issues in more detail. The IIF, given their important role in this area, were invited to meet representatives of the review group and this meeting took place on 23 May 2002. I am advised the meeting was very productive and centred on the key issue of how all stakeholders might alleviate future flood damage and its subsequent impacts. In particular it was unanimously agreed the speedy development of flood hazard maps to provide valuable information to assist in numerous decision-making processes including planning and development and flood works prioritisation, would be a very progressive advancement.
In this regard I can confirm preparatory work is already under way within my office for the development of these maps and it is envisaged they should be available in 2005. It is was further agreed at the meeting that clear and regular communication channels between the IIF and the body responsible for flood management in the future – the issue of responsibility for flood management is currently under consideration as part of the review – be developed as a matter of priority. As to the review, it remains on target to present its report to Government by late autumn 2003 as previously stated.
