Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I agree that nature-based solutions should get the highest priority in our flood management plans because they are the most effective long-term way of holding back water. We need to work with nature. We saw devastating flooding recently in Midleton, Carlingford and Clarinbridge. The river basin catchment management process, which involves assessing water flows from the source of rivers right down to the sea, is the best way of dealing with this. I expect there will be a change in Government policy, with a real focus on that. One of the ways we are dealing with this issue is through the land use review task force that has been established, which has to optimise for storing carbon, restoring biodiversity, preventing flooding and ensuring water quality. Together with the adaptation framework and the river basin catchment management programme, the task force will help to ensure we have an integrated approach.

The Office of Public Works, OPW, has a key role and insight, not just in putting physical barriers in towns but in thinking bigger and upstream in a whole variety of ways. Local authorities also have a critical role. They need to start showing leadership in setting out their plans.

I do not just mean in flood events, but also in allowing counties to think strategically about flooding in an upstream as well as downstream way. As well as the Government, local authorities need to step up to the plate and show leadership in that regard.

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