Mr. Michael Malone:

At the outset, I thank the joint committee for its invitation to Kildare County Council to attend this meeting to outline our experiences in dealing with flooding problems and by association, in helping to assess or address the difficulties in obtaining home insurance for properties in areas that have experienced extreme weather events. This presentation does not purport to be a solution to all different flooding scenarios that exist around the country, given the variety of scale, complexity and cost that may be involved in addressing problems nationwide. However, we will endeavour to reflect examples of solutions that may have secured positive outcomes. The fundamental approach we have adopted in dealing with flooding problems is based on a number of principles. First, we have taken a strategic view on flooding issues based on specific flood studies leading to the development of major and minor work programmes. We have been informed by the National Climate Change Strategy 2007–12 and have endeavoured to secure a co-ordinated response from all the relevant stakeholders. The Office of Public Works, OPW, is one of the central stakeholders involved in all the schemes. Some years ago, we also decided to set up a dedicated resource within Kildare County Council to deal with this issue and Mr. Alan Dunney is leading that section. We have undertaken and continue to undertake extensive consultation with elected members, local communities and other stakeholders. In light of the limited resources available, we work towards pooling interagency expertise and financial resources. We prepare an annual work programme linked to the strategic overview and engage with persons experiencing insurance cover difficulties. While they come to us, I make the point that our role is to reduce and not to eliminate the risk of flooding. Mr. Dunney will allude to this point in his presentation to members.

Our approach has been to focus on small schemes where limited resources can secure significant results. This has been done primarily through Mr. Dunney's work in respect of developing plans and working with the various agencies. Obviously, we also are involved in the larger catchment flood risk assessment and management, CFRAM, studies with the Office of Public Works. As the Vice Chairman has indicated, the colleagues accompanying me are Mr. Joe Boland, director of services, who has responsibility for the water and environmental services portfolio for the Kildare local authorities and Mr. Alan Dunney, who manages the flood alleviation programme. We supplied a written presentation for members, which I assume they have to hand. However, we also have decided it might be appropriate to make a PowerPoint presentation to give the joint committee some examples of the work on the ground and with that, I will hand over to Mr. Dunney.