John Halligan (Waterford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 2:

(a) To delete all words from “the series of specific actions outlined” up to and including the words “State Agency Co-ordination Working Group” and substitute the following:“— the progress with the delivery of the series of specific actions outlined by the Government on 5 and 26 January 2016, to address and alleviate flooding concerns, namely:

— the establishment of a Shannon Flood Risk State Agency Co-ordination Working Group that is ensuring the best possible level of co-ordination between all statutory bodies involved in flood management on the Shannon, including initiatives to pilot lowering lake levels, consider strategic maintenance programmes, and consider the benefits of piloting removal of pinch points;”

(b) To delete all words from “the meeting between the Taoiseach and relevant Ministers” up to and including the words “the effective management of water levels along the River Shannon” and substitute the following:“— the meeting between the Taoiseach and relevant Ministers with insurance industry representatives on 12 January 2016 and the evidence that the current Government’s policy on flood insurance is delivering benefits including an agreement for the OPW to meet with Insurance Ireland on a quarterly basis from now on;

— the establishment of a National Flood Forecasting and Warning Service; and

— the implementation of a €2 million targeted voluntary home relocation scheme and further examination of a targeted farmyard relocation scheme;” and(c) To delete the following after the words “dredging where required”:“— establish a single River Shannon agency on a statutory basis”

I thank all who have contributed to this timely debate thus far. I welcome the opportunity to debate the issue of flooding and flood risk management. I look forward to a constructive discussion and debate.

Many parts of the country experienced severe flooding last winter. Rainfall over the period was 189% of normal, making it the wettest winter ever recorded. The Government is keenly aware of the devastating impact of flooding on those who suffered from the storms and floods of the last winter. In particular, the Government is mindful of those families whose homes have been flooded, marooned or evacuated as well as those whose livelihoods have been threatened. The Government's response last winter involved almost every arm of the State. The response included the outstanding work and dedication of the staff of the local authorities, Met Éireann, the Office of Public Works, the Defence Forces, the Civil Defence, the Coast Guard and the Red Cross. These bodies worked endlessly and tirelessly throughout Christmas in the most difficult circumstances. Humanitarian and financial assistance was provided to householders, farmers and small businesses.

The Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government, Deputy Coveney, has completed a thorough review of the major emergency management framework response to flooding events from 4 December 2015 to 13 January 2016. The lessons from this review have informed the preparations for a rapid and co-ordinated response for any future flooding event.

Ireland's national policy on flood risk includes a planned and strategic approach to how we manage flood risk to reduce the impact of flooding in future and how we ensure our priorities and resources are of most benefit.

Since last winter, Dutch experts have benchmarked our approach to flood risk management and concluded that it is in line with international best practice and is well on-track. Ireland is more prepared than ever to tackle flood risk. Since 1995, a total of 37 major flood defence schemes have been completed. As we witnessed last winter this infrastructure successfully provided protection to all 7,000 properties covered by the schemes. In total, 12 schemes are currently under construction, a threefold increase on a year ago. A further 5,000 properties are being protected from localised flooding through 400 projects completed by local authorities, with funding provided under the OPW minor works scheme. A further 200 projects have been approved for funding. In addition, 650,000 acres of agricultural land are protected through the programmed maintenance of 11,500 km of river channels by the OPW under the Arterial Drainage Acts.

Since 2009, planning guidelines relating to flood risk have prevented building on flood zones. Under the OPW catchment flood risk assessment and management programme, feasible flood relief structural measures have now been identified to provide protection to 95% of at-risk properties, and 300 risk areas have been assessed under the programme. The details are set out in the draft flood risk management plans that will be finalised in spring next year following consideration of the submissions from the statutory public consultation.

The Government commitment to continue support of flood relief is underlined in the provision of €430 million in flood risk management in the capital investment plan 2016 to 2021. This substantial allocation will build on the total investment of over €460 million in flood risk management undertaken since 1995. This is significant spending by any measure. The nature of capital works can impact capital spending in any particular year, for example, due to the timing of large payments at year end. This can give rise to variability in spending from year to year. Spending on the flood defence capital works programme has averaged €45 million per annum. The Government commitment represents more than a doubling in the capital allocation to €100 million by 2021.

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