Mr. John Sydenham:

Okay. The 2015 updated RPS Group report acknowledges the concerns raised by the OPW and, following an assessment of five flood alleviation options, proposes as its preferred option raising the existing railway embankment in the vicinity of Ballycar Lough. RPS Group states that this preferred option has been chosen because it provides the least ecological impact on the special area of conservation, SAC, and other protected sites in the area, it does not increase flood risk elsewhere in the catchment, especially at the internationally important air control communications infrastructure, and it has the least negative effect on geology and hydrology in the area.

The OPW supports the finding and recommendations of the updated RPS Group report. It is a matter for Iarnród Éireann to progress the proposed preferred solution of raising the railway line and to pursue the associated funding requirement through its normal channels for investment in its infrastructure. It is to be noted that the estimated capital cost of the proposed solution is just under €10 million and the benefit to cost ratio is calculated by the consultants at just €400,000. The proposed works, therefore, are not economically feasible. I also note that as a result of the road raising works carried out by Clare County Council in 2015, all residential properties in the area now have access to their properties even in extreme flood events.

The OPW will continue to co-operate with Clare County Council and Iarnród Éireann in whatever way it can in this matter. I thank the members for their attention and I am happy to take any questions they may have.