Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome our witnesses here today. I know my time is limited but I want to say that I appreciate all the work that the OPW does in delivering services and projects for the public good.

I will focus on the State-led flood relief schemes and their management through our witnesses' departments. I draw our witnesses' attention to the Crossmolina flood relief scheme which was established in 2015. People in the Crossmolina community, and many other communities, live in fear every time it rains substantially. They have no insurance or protection and have faced repeated instances where commitments have been made but delays have occurred. The relevant scheme is a €10 million project that includes a diversion of 1.3 km. Probably eight Ministers have visited the area at this stage. I understand that the OPW wants everything to be right around the laws, obligations, regulations and environmental studies but I would appreciate guidance or clarity.

I appreciate the work that has been done to date by the OPW and Mayo County Council, in collaboration with the local Crossmolina flood action group. The response has been proactive and a lot of flood relief protection systems and measures have been implemented.

According to the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General, there was a €15 million surplus in 2019 compared with what was anticipated. The estimated provision was €73.1 million but the spend for the year was €58.3 million. We must focus on what communities, especially Crossmolina, need. Can our witnesses outline the construction timeline and commitment for the Crossmolina flood relief protection scheme? When can it be published in the locality?

Significant short-term alleviation works have resulted in the removal of accumulated debris, silt and soil from the river to increase capacity. Can we look at and improve that on an interim basis before there is another serious incident?

The OPW has suggested a direct labour option for this flood prevention bypass project. Is that the most effective approach? What decision-making process do our witnesses take? Would a public private partnership increase or reduce the timeline for delivery of this? I would like to get the witnesses' thoughts on those matters.