Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 October 2022
268. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when it is expected that the Judicial Review ongoing as part of the Blackpool flood relief will conclude; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52708/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform confirmed the River Bride (Blackpool) Flood Relief Scheme, under the Arterial Drainage Act 1945, as amended, in March 2021, and construction was expected to commence in early 2022.
In June 2021, the community group, Save Our Bride Otters (SOBO), was granted leave to apply for a Judicial Review of the confirmation of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. A stay was also granted on works being carried out pursuant to the confirmation, pending the resolution of these proceedings.
Following an extensive legal review of the grounds of the Judicial Review, and the statutory processes around the decision-making process, the Department of Public Expenditure and reform has agreed to consent to an order reverting the evaluation of the River Bride (Blackpool) Flood Relief scheme back to an advanced stage of further public consultation. In agreeing to this, DPER has conceded the matter on a single ground related to public consultation procedures on certain information as part of the confirmation process.
Following this decision, further information was requested by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform as part of the environmental impact assessment. The Office of Public Works provided this further information on 13 October 2022, which will now be subject to a further public consultation in relation to the scheme.
The confirmation process for the scheme is a matter for the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. Subject to confirmation procurement for a contractor for the works will commence.
