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

I thank Deputy Conway-Walsh. I have been in Crossmolina on a couple of occasions. I thank Deputy Conway-Walsh for the support associated with this. She is conscious of the fact that Mayo County Council is the applicant to the planning authority and, under the Arterial Drainage Act, the Minister is the consenting authority. We cannot predetermine the outcome of a planning process which must go through its natural conclusion.

With regard to where it is at present, in September 2020, the OPW submitted confirmation documentation for the scheme. Following two rounds of public consultation, the Department engaged independent environmental consultants to review the submissions received to carry out the necessary environmental assessments as required under Directive 2011/92/EU and Directive 2014/52/EU. Following completion of this work, a decision will be made by Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform on whether to confirm the Crossmolina flood relief scheme. If confirmation for the scheme is granted, the scheme can progress quickly to construction through the OPW's own direct workforce. I hope this can happen as soon as possible.

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