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Flood Relief

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 28 October 2010

Thursday, 28 October 2010

Ceisteanna (24)

Paul Connaughton

Ceist:

24 Deputy Paul Connaughton asked the Minister for Finance the next step in the process of implementing the plans drawn up to drain the Dunkellin river; if he will provide a list of the steps this project will have to go through before drainage can commence on the river; the exact cost of this scheme and if the money is ring fenced for same; when the scheme will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39487/10]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Office of Public Works has agreed to fund a programme of flood alleviation works for the Dunkellin River from Craughwell to Kilcolgon and for the Aggard Stream and its tributaries up to Cregaclare. A Steering Group, consisting of personnel from the Office of Public Works (OPW) and Galway County Council (GCC) has been established to advance the scheme and the next Steering Group Meeting is scheduled for Friday, 29 October 2010.

It has been agreed that GCC will act as the contracting authority with overall responsibility for the Flood Relief Scheme and that OPW personnel will complete the construction works, acting as agents of the Local Authority. It has also been agreed that as part of this process GCC, in consultation with the OPW, would procure the Engineering & Environmental Consultants needed to complete the scheme design and to attain the necessary statutory permissions for the scheme.

While OPW has made provision in its budget estimates for the Dunkellin Scheme, it is too early to determine the costs of the works, as the detailed design of the preferred option has yet to be completed. The scheme also has potential impacts on the Rahasane Turlough cSAC, and there are a number of environmental considerations that may need to be addressed through mitigation measures, which can only be determined on completion of the Appropriate Assessment in accordance with the Article 6(3) of the Habitats Directive and an Environmental Impact Statement.

Galway County Council are currently working on the procurement procedures necessary to appoint consultants, to carry out this work, and it is envisaged that the consultants will be appointed early in 2011. The OPW have made provision in their works programme to commence civil works on the Dunkellin Flood Relief Scheme in the Summer of 2011. However, this is contingent on all environmental considerations and issues being resolved in consultation with the National Parks and Wildlife Services Division of the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government. It is also a prerequisite of the scheme that GCC secure the appropriate statutory permissions to allow the scheme to advance to construction.

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