Mr. John Sydenham:

In Thomastown and Graiguenamanagh, we did an assessment, which was effectively a pilot scheme, for individual property protection because of the unique circumstances in those areas. That was in the context of a preliminary assessment looking at both these areas which concluded there was no viable major flood scheme for either area. On a pilot basis, we looked at whether individual property protection would work. The conclusion was it could work but the downside of the scheme is it would give protection for a one in 15 year event. The Chairman will be familiar with the level of damage from the 2015 floods, which was extensive. They were one in 100 year floods so individual property protection would give no defence against the consequences of a flooding event of that magnitude. We have subsequently looked at both areas again and concluded there are viable CFRAM schemes for both areas. Technically, they are doable. Our colleagues had an engagement with the local authority to go through these issues. What has been identified, given the nature of the adjoining rivers, is that the fixed defences, the embankments and the walls would be very high. In Thomastown, we could be looking at in excess of 2 m so visually there is a potential impact which we have discussed with the local authority. There may be an option to put Perspex inserts into them to lessen the visual impact. If we go that route, the cost of the scheme will start to increase rapidly and then it will have to be assessed against the benefit. We are in the process of working our way through what the optimum approach is. The important thing is we have now identified technically viable schemes for both those areas.