Ossian Smyth (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I am informed that a flood alleviation options assessment for flooding at Ballycar Lough was initiated by Iarnród Éireann and was completed by consultant engineers RPS in December 2020. This assessment study built on previous reports of 2011 and 2015 commissioned by Iarnród Éireann. Having considered all various options, the assessment study recommends a new preferred option of a technically viable drainage scheme that would prevent flooding of the railway occurring while also including any flood mitigation measures downstream that would be necessary either directly or indirectly with this option.

The Office of Public Works, OPW, has engaged constructively with both Clare County Council and Iarnród Éireann over recent years in relation to the flooding problem at Ballycar and has participated in a meeting on the matter convened by the council in 2014 and participated on a steering group from 2018 to 2020 comprised of Clare County Council, Geological Survey Ireland, the National Parks and Wildlife Service and Iarnród Éireann, in relation to the new preferred option.

The selection of the new preferred option was based on the hydrological, hydraulic environmental impact assessments, mainly ecology, geology and hydrogeology, and costs of each option. The primary benefits of the measures identified in the assessment are derived from the protection of Iarnród Éireann infrastructure and accordingly it is with Iarnród Éireann, as the key stakeholder, to lead and pursue the resolution of the railway line flooding problem and to secure funding for the proposed project. The OPW will continue to work with Iarnród Éireann and the other steering group stakeholders in addressing the problems on the rail line at Ballycar. In response to a recent contact from the Department of Transport, my office has indicated that it is available to meet on the matter.

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