Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

The Office of Public Works is currently completing the phase 2 works on the River Tolka which were commenced in 2004 following public exhibition by Dublin City Council under part 8 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001. The OPW and the city council are currently in discussions on a programme of works for 2005. The priority for the OPW since the works commenced in early 2003 has been to undertake works in those areas with high risk of flooding in an extreme event. The area around Distillery Road was identified as having a high risk.

Considerable work has already been completed in this area and the OPW is anxious to have the outstanding work completed at an early date. These have been the subject of negotiations between the city council and property developers as part of a proposed development in this area, with the intention that the developer would either undertake the works directly or else provide the funds to have them completed by the OPW.

Other works under consideration include repair works in the Botanic Gardens, underpinning of Dean Swift Bridge, upgrading of a wall downstream of Dean Swift Bridge and the widening of the bank in Griffith Park. The OPW has allocated €1 million for flood relief works in the Dublin city area in 2005. The OPW expects to meet city council officials within the coming weeks to agree on a programme of works for 2005.

As indicated in reply to the Deputy's questions on 16 December, the question of undertaking works in the East Wall area will be discussed. However, the current position is that no additional protection works are recommended by the consultants in the tidal reach of the river downstream of Luke Kelly Bridge, which includes the areas referred to by the Deputy. No flooding took place directly from the river in this area in the 2002 flood, although some low-lying areas were flooded via the drainage system.

Issues in this area are being addressed in the greater Dublin strategic drainage study, GDSDS, which is being undertaken by Dublin City Council. This study is expected to be completed shortly and is expected to include proposals to improve the storm water drainage system. One of the drainage measures already highlighted in the Tolka report is the provision of drainage flap valves on all storm water outlets as well as the installation of a pump station to allow storm water to be pumped into the river.

Additional information not given on the floor of the House.

List of works undertaken on River Tolka in Dublin city: new walls and embankments on Botanic Avenue; Griffith Park embankments; replacement of Woodville Road footbridge; walls downstream of Woodville Road footbridge to Drumcondra Bridge; walls and embankments at Tolka Cottages Park; raising of wall from Drumcondra Bridge to Tolka Park; protection works at corner of Tolka Park; walls and embankments from Tolka Park to Distillery Weir; widening of bank on Clonliffe College grounds; removal of Distillery Weir; scour damage repair at 112-114 Tolka Road; new walls downstream of Distillery Road Bridge on northern bank; and general channel maintenance.

Expenditure in City area by the OPW since 2003:

2003 —€1.18 million.

2004 —€1 million.

Expenditure in Fingal area by the OPW since 2003:

2003 —€20,000.

2004 —€700,000.

Expenditure in County Meath area by the OPW since 2003:

2003 —€750,000.

2004 —€1 million.

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