Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The core strategy for addressing areas at potentially significant risk from flooding is the Office of Public Work's catchment flood risk assessment and management, CFRAM, programme. A total of 300 locations nationwide are being assessed under the programme, which is being undertaken by engineering consultants on behalf of the OPW working in partnership with the local authorities. Cavan town is one of these locations and part of the North Western-Neagh Bann CFRAM study.

The River Erne catchment is being assessed under the Office of Public Works in close co-operation with Northern Ireland's River Agency. This co-operation is part of our respective implementation of the EU floods directive and, therefore, the Erne system in both Ireland and Northern Ireland has been fully assessed as part of the CFRAM study.

Representatives of the Rivers Agency attend regular progress and steering group meetings of the North Western-Neagh Bann CFRAM programme. On 9 May 2016, a further high-level meeting of representatives from the Rivers Agency and the OPW to discuss issues of mutual co-operation took place. This co-operation is ensuring the measures will not adversely affect flood risk in other parts of the Erne catchment.

Public consultation on the measures in draft flood risk management plans, including the feasible measures for this CFRAM study area, closed on 28 October. The comments received will inform the final plans due to be finalised for approval by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform in spring 2017.

The River Erne does not form part of any of the OPW's arterial drainage schemes under the Arterial Drainage Act 1945. The statutory duty of maintenance for drainage districts rests with the local authorities concerned.

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