Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Nowhere in the response I read does the Minister of State, Deputy Kevin "Boxer" Moran, say funding will not be available. He is trying to be helpful in his reply in outlining the best process to advance this important project. The Deputy has highlighted the fact that it is hugely important to the town of Arklow and the wider area. I am not familiar with the area, but I accept that serious damage has been done in the past and that there were plans for a second phase of flood defence works. I will certainly speak to the Minister of State about the matter. The Deputy said he had spoken to the Minister of State yesterday. The Minister of State has agreed to visit Arklow and I am sure he will bring with him the relevant personnel from the Office of Public Works to meet the relevant individuals in Wicklow County Council to ensure the project will be progressed. It is stated in the reply that certain elements of the project can be classified as maintenance works which should be costed separately from the capital works. Obviously, everything done by the OPW in spending on coastal defences and flood protection measures is based on cost-benefit analyses. There are criteria projects must meet to ensure they represent best value for money. I do not doubt, from what the Deputy has said, that this project is hugely important and I certainly hope progress can be made. I will certainly speak to the Minister of State about it. I will ask him to expedite his visit and continue the liaison on the project through his offices with Wicklow County Council.

With the Acting Chairman's permission, I thank the Minister of State for approving the provision of funding of €36,000 for the maintenance of river banks, vegetation removal, the cleaning of swallow holes and the construction of a 150 m embankment at the sports ground in Clonbur, Connemara, County Galway. The funding is much appreciated, for which I thank the Minister of State. I will certainly bring to his attention the issues raised by the Deputy.

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