Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Níl an OPW ag seasamh siar in aon chor. It would not be unusual for us to appoint local authorities as the lead agents in some schemes and for us to be the lead agents in other areas. In County Limerick, which is my home area, Limerick City and County Council is the lead authority for a number of the schemes we are developing. The OPW leads in some cases. It is not the case that we are stepping backwards.

With regard to the wider issue the Deputy raises, reports must be produced on schemes and consultation on and examination of schemes are required to ensure they fulfil the criteria, especially around the environmental regulations. This is a sensitive area ad the rivers in question are especially sensitive, as the Deputy knows better than I do. We wish to make sure Cork County Council has the necessary documentation ready to proceed to develop a scheme and that it will succeed. In the absence of that, I should say there is nothing stopping the council bringing forward interim measures, especially in the villages that have been identified by Deputy Moynihan in Cork north west, if it wishes to do so. The OPW always has an open mind about the supports that are available to the local authorities, in the absence of a completed scheme. We will work with the council on that basis.

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