Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 11 February 2015

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Public Expenditure and Reform

Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 13 - Office of Public Works (Revised)

2:00 pm

Photo of Simon HarrisSimon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

On the issue of maps, I would like to address the insurance coverage issue head on. None of us believes that insurance companies are not mapping risk. If the fact that Ireland and other European countries are complying with an EU floods directive in the interest of their citizens to map flooding on a methodical basis, make it public and set out in a systemic way a list of projects that need to be done, it would be regrettable if the industry suggested that would create new risk in any shape or form. I have spoken to industry representatives about this. I told them that we will continue to make available the information we have and keep them in the loop. They are involved in a number of CFRAM stakeholder groups. I am disappointed when I hear the feedback the Deputy has given, because we are not creating new risk, but I hear it from time to time. Nobody is at a greater risk of being flooded because the OPW is mapping the risk. We will lessen the risk by being able to seek funding from Government to properly address it. However, we have been clear that the maps are preliminary. There is significant ongoing consultation in the Deputy's constituency and county and then there will be final maps, which will be more reflective of that.

If the Deputy has specific constituency concerns or community input that he wants to feed in he should please come to me.

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