Mr. Tony Smyth:

There are three broad categories of flooding apart from groundwater. First, flooding from rivers which is called fluvial flooding and we have responsibility to bring forward schemes to protect against such flooding. Second, there is coastal flooding from tidal or tidal surge for which the OPW can bring forward schemes along with local authorities who have a role under the Coast Protection Act. The third element, which is the type mentioned by the Deputy, is the design and maintenance of urban infrastructure and is a matter for the local authorities. In terms of the capacity of urban infrastructure, it is for local authorities to size up those pipes as part of road drainage or that.