Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I referred to the letter that was issued by Galway County Council on 20 January indicating that its review of the proposals will be completed in the coming weeks and thereafter submitted to the Office of Public Works for approval and funding. I hope the Minister of State will look favourably on the revised proposals. I will give him a copy of the letter, which is signed by Mr. Liam Gavin, acting director of roads and transportation, marine and general services at the council. It is important to note that this effort by Galway County Council is aimed specifically at ensuring the cost-benefit ratio is raised to a level acceptable to the OPW. Both the council and OPW are working well together and a great deal of good work has been done by both to deal with this problem. However, a great deal remains to be done in south Galway, as became clear at a well attended public meeting last Thursday in Ballinderreen.

The original scheme was constructed by landowners to relieve significant flooding at Kiltiernan national school, where not only the school building was at risk but also nearby houses, land and roads. The flooding was particularly bad in 1994 and 1995. One of the roads that benefited from the work undertaken at that time was the Castle Taylor Road. It became clear during the flooding in 2009, however, that the existing channels were no longer providing optimal benefit. In fact, the protections offered by the original scheme were eroding as the structures deteriorated.

There is an urgent need to maintain and improve the drainage scheme, as identified in the study undertaken by Jennings O'Donovan and in the Arup report. The revised proposals to be submitted by Galway County Council will address the cost-benefit issue. I could talk at length about flooding issues throughout the county of Galway, but I am concentrating on the situation in the southern region because it has caused particular hardship for landowners, householders, schools and farmers. In many instances, for example, animals have been cut off from the rest of the farm. There is enough paperwork in place. It is time now for action.

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