Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 April 2023
429. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he will provide an update in relation to a scheme (details supplied); when this scheme initially commenced; the timeline for the progression of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16054/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra430. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if the environmental assessments have been completed for a scheme (details supplied); when a decision will be made to confirm the scheme; when work will actually commence on this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16055/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 429 and 430 together.
Details of the environmental impact assessments carried out by the OPW can be found on the floodinfo.ie website. The scheme has been submitted to my Department seeking consent for these works under the provisions of the Arterial Drainage Acts 1945 to 1995 as amended.
An initial round of public consultation was held beginning on the 1st December 2020 and concluding on the 11th January 2021. Following this period of public consultation, my Department sought additional information regarding the scheme from the Office of Public Works. The OPW provided this information to my Department in July 2021.
A further period of public consultation was then required and this took place over the period from the 6th May 2022 to the 1st July 2022. My Department has retained independent environmental consultants to review the submissions received during the consultation and to carry out any necessary environmental assessments as required by EU Directives 2011/92 and 2014/52.
Under Section 7E(4) the Minister shall ensure that he access to sufficient expertise to examine an environmental impact assessment report. In light of this requirements consultants were appointed to provide this expertise.
My Department has been advised by the relevant consultants that this work is due to be completed in the coming weeks. On completion, I expect to receive a recommendation on whether to confirm the scheme in accordance with Section 7E(1) of the amended Act. It is my expectation that I will receive this recommendation in Q2 of this year. Under Section 7E(1) of the amended act it is open to me to:
(a) make an order confirming the scheme, (b) refuse to confirm the scheme, or (c) refer the scheme back to the Commissioners of Public Works for revision in specified respects.
In regards timelines of when works will commence on the scheme, it would not be appropriate to prescribe a timeline at this stage as to do so would be to pre-empt the outcome of the consent process.
