Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Acting Chairman for that advice. Ms McGrath and her colleagues are welcome to the committee meeting. First, I wish to deal with flood risk management. Following that, I intend to deal with property-related issues.

Will the commissioner explain the position on catchment areas, which are important in respect of flood risk management? The Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government water investment programme was based on the catchment areas of certain rivers and where they enter the sea. We have become accustomed to that. There was a logic to the framework because it ties in to the source of the water and rivers in the various counties.

Surface water is an issue when rivers are flooding. The OPW has a role in this area, as do local authorities. I do not intend to delve into the day-to-day matters in this area, but Irish Water has a role as well. Will Ms McGrath outline the work the OPW has done up to now in conjunction with local authorities, especially in cases of flooding, surface water and public area flooding? How do these types of flooding affect sources or lead to pollution? How does flooding lead to pollution with wastewater from treatment plants?

What role does the OPW have in respect of Irish Water? I have some concerns about the setting up of the new body. Off the top of my head I can think of three state organisations - namely, the OPW, local authorities and Irish Water - which now have an involvement with water when it emerges on the streets of a town or when water and wastewater services and sources are affected. Will Ms McGrath set out the OPW's position and explain any discussions with Irish Water on this issue?