Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 30 Sep 2003

Vol. 571 No. 1

Written Answers. - Flood Relief.

Emmet Stagg

Ceist:

390 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Finance if the Office of Public Works have completed their examination of the flood alleviation reports in relation to Straffan and Ardclough, County Kildare; if he will sanction funding for the implementation of the proposals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21157/03]

Emmet Stagg

Ceist:

391 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Finance if he has received the consultant's report from Kildare County Council in relation to flooding in the Rye water and Liffey rivers which impact on flooding in areas of Leixlip, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21158/03]

Minister of State at the Department of Finance (Mr. Parlon)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 390 and 391 together.

The reports in question have been examined by the Office of Public Works and Kildare County Council has been advised that the report submitted in relation to Straffan refers to surface water drainage problems and the proposed works would therefore be outside the scope of the Arterial Drainage Acts which legislate for fluvial flooding.

My officials met with Kildare County Council to discuss the report on Ardclough and advised that the report required more technical detail as well as benefit analysis and environmental assessment. However, the commitment of resources to flood relief works in the existing works programme was emphasised and it was also pointed out that the flood policy review group would be reporting its recommendations shortly. It is expected that this report will contain recommendations on prioritisation of flood relief schemes for the future as well as recommendations on the general approach to flood relief works, policy considerations, funding etc. In the circumstances, no commitment could be given to Kildare County Council for funding of flood relief works at Ardclough.

In relation to Leixlip, no report has been submitted to the Office of Public Works by Kildare County Council.