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

The OPW will say drainage is a matter for local authorities but my simple view is that a lack of drainage causes flooding. In other words, if rivers are not properly drained and maintained flooding will result which then becomes a problem for the OPW.

We are all familiar with joint drainage boards between local authorities but the initiative was abolished recently. Their demise is connected to the local election results of last year because new municipal authorities have since been established. Let me give a classic example. Part of the Barrow Drainage Board, affecting Offaly, Laois, Kildare and Carlow, has been abolished and local authorities have been told to sort the matter out themselves. The joint approach is not underpinned and the statutory instrument has been dissolved. What has happened in those towns? The OPW has a scheme in Carlow under way which came about as a result of flooding on the River Barrow. Portarlington suffered flooding on the same river as does Athy and different areas. Does the lack of drainage and maintenance by local authorities lead to problems for the OPW? Do the local authorities say: "If the problem gets bad enough OPW will have to come up with a scheme?"