Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising the issue and for giving me the opportunity, on behalf of the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Alan Kelly, to outline the position regarding Dollymount promenade and the associated flood protection project.

As the Deputy will be aware, under section 30 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 the Minister, Deputy Kelly, is specifically precluded from exercising any power or control in respect of any planning case under consideration by any planning authority, including An Bord Pleanála.

The management of the Dollymount promenade and the associated flood protection project is a matter for the relevant planning authority, which is Dublin City Council in this instance, and the Minister has no function or remit in this regard.

From inquiries made with Dublin City Council, I understand that this project, comprising a promenade and cycleway proposal as well as flood alleviation works to address higher tides and sea levels, was originally approved by An Bord Pleanála in 2011 under section 226 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, relating to foreshore developments. The environmental impact of the project was comprehensively assessed as part of this process. Dublin City Council subsequently made some alterations to the promenade and cycleway aspects of its proposals which were progressed under the Part VIII requirements of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001, as amended, relating to local authority developments.

The Part VIII process for local authority development works involves extensive public notice, public consultation, including with prescribed bodies, and the public display of plans and other documentation, with the proposed development ultimately being subject to the will of the elected members of the local authority concerned. As required under the Part VIII provisions, the revised proposals for the Dollymount promenade and flood protection project was the subject of extensive public consultation with the local community generally and with local community groups. The National Parks and Wildlife Service was also consulted on the preparation of the proposal and habitat screening. Planning approval for the revised proposals was granted by Dublin City Council in May 2013.

I understand that the specific works proposed under the project include sea wall repairs and the insertion of a flood defence wall up to a maximum height of 4.25 m, which the council has indicated is the minimum recommended to protect this area of coastline. The council has advised that these flood defence works will mean that 30% of the existing sea wall will remain at its current high level, 10% will be raised by between 1 and 8 inches, a further 32% will be raised by 8 inches to 1 ft. 4 in., with the remaining 28% raise in height by between 1 ft. 4 in. to 2 ft. 3 in., which will be the maximum height increase on any part of the flood defence wall.

The proposed works are being undertaken against the background of the need to address the realities associated with adaptation to climate change and the putting in place of necessary flood risk management measures to address this phenomenon. There are many areas of the country, including cities and towns, which are at risk from periodic flooding, and Dollymount promenade is seen to be particularly at risk as a result of rising tides and increasing sea levels.

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