Results 1,561-1,580 of 10,569 for speaker:Patrick O'Donovan

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Flood Risk Management (28 Nov 2023)

Patrick O'Donovan: The last point is exactly the reason I asked Galway City Council, the steering group and the Office of Public Works to engage in the first instance with Deputies and public representatives to dispel misinformation, of which we heard a lot in this House earlier in a different arena. The Deputy is right about bringing the public with us. Other public infrastructure from Galway city towards...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Flood Risk Management (28 Nov 2023)

Patrick O'Donovan: I thank both Deputies and I know they have both raised this with me previously. I know they both have a keen interest in it, as do the other Deputies in the city. Deputy Farrell is right, the devastation was catastrophic. It blew a wall out in front of Oranmore railway station. It made smithereens of it. Really, it is amazing there was no loss of life and were it not for the fact a shop...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Flood Risk Management (28 Nov 2023)

Patrick O'Donovan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 32, 42 and 61 together. I saw at first hand when I visited County Galway recently, following the flooding caused by Storm Debi, the devastation and impact it has had. The Government has assessed the risk to those communities from the most significant flood events. CFRAM, Ireland’s largest study of flood risk, was completed by the OPW in 2018. An...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Flood Risk Management (28 Nov 2023)

Patrick O'Donovan: The progression of measures to mitigate flood risk in the Shannon River basin is a key priority for the Government. Currently, there are 13 completed flood relief schemes schemes in the Shannon River basin and these schemes are already providing protection to more than 2,600 properties. A further 36 schemes will be delivered as part of the Government’s €1.3 billion investment...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Flood Risk Management (28 Nov 2023)

Patrick O'Donovan: The preparation of legislation to improve the management of flood risk on the River Shannon is a priority. The management of flood risk on the river is closely intertwined with other uses of the river such as, as I already mentioned, navigation and dam safety managed by Waterways Ireland and the ESB, neither of which fall under the remit of the Office of Public Works. The OPW has conducted...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Flood Risk Management (28 Nov 2023)

Patrick O'Donovan: There are MEPs from all parties and none.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Flood Risk Management (28 Nov 2023)

Patrick O'Donovan: Their email addresses are freely available.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Flood Risk Management (28 Nov 2023)

Patrick O'Donovan: Will the Deputy let me answer? If the Deputy wants to find out what MEPs are doing, as the Ceann Comhairle suggested, she is as capable as I am of sending them an email.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Flood Risk Management (28 Nov 2023)

Patrick O'Donovan: The question that was asked does not mention MEPs from Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil or any other party.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Flood Risk Management (28 Nov 2023)

Patrick O'Donovan: I am trying to answer the question the Deputy asked. With regard to the question the Deputy asked about the legislation, this is a complicated issue. One of the bodies, Waterways Ireland, which has responsibility for navigation, is a cross-Border body set up under the Good Friday Agreement. Its powers derive from the OPW, which previously had responsibility for the Shannon River.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Flood Risk Management (28 Nov 2023)

Patrick O'Donovan: In addition, there is electricity generation and there are huge implications for Parteen Weir and further flooding that could be caused at the lower end of the Shannon. It is not something we can simplistically solve. I have devoted a lot of time to it, as have my officials, and I hope to be in a position to bring a proposal to the Government on it early in the new year.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Flood Risk Management (28 Nov 2023)

Patrick O'Donovan: I thank Deputy Connolly for raising this. I know she was unavailable on the day I was in Galway. I saw first-hand, when I visited Galway city recently following the flooding caused by Storm Debi, the devastation and impact flooding has on homes, businesses, people and entire communities. The Government has assessed the flood risk for those communities most at risk from significant flood...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Flood Risk Management (28 Nov 2023)

Patrick O'Donovan: I know the website has not been updated. It is an issue my officials have brought to the attention of Galway City Council. As the level of the scheme is now greater than it was originally, primarily due to over-topping due to tidal effects, I have asked the city council to meet all the public representatives concerned, councillors and Oireachtas Members. By that stage, the council will...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Flood Risk Management (28 Nov 2023)

Patrick O'Donovan: Deputy Connolly, as the Leas-Cheann Comhairle, knows more about the workings of this place than I do. I have no idea as regards the wording, or otherwise, that needs to be submitted.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Flood Risk Management (28 Nov 2023)

Patrick O'Donovan: The one in 100-years event the Deputy referred to is the international norm for best practice for acceptable defences that can be put in place for climate adaptation and resilience to protect communities. It is not, therefore, unusual. I met Galway City Council’s engineers when I was down there. In six weeks, we saw four catastrophic events, Storm Debi included. It would be...

Policing, Protests and Public Order: Statements (28 Nov 2023)

Patrick O'Donovan: As a former teacher, the week running into the "Late Late Toy Show" is very special in almost every primary school. I know the school concerned as I walk past it most mornings when I come into the Dáil because I stay in that part of Dublin. Last week, their little innocent world was shattered into a million pieces. It is our job to try to make sure their mams, dads and teachers feel...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Office of Public Works (28 Nov 2023)

Patrick O'Donovan: I wish to thank the Deputy for his question regarding Mullingar Garda Station and any plans that the Office of Public Works has for extending the current station. The Office of Public Works, together with the Department of Justice and Equality and An Garda Síochána are working closely in delivering the Government approved current Garda Capital Investment Plan 2023-2030 ...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Risk Management (28 Nov 2023)

Patrick O'Donovan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 45 and 53 together. To deliver the proposed measures set out in the Flood Risk Management Plans for County Louth, Louth County Council, working with the Office of Public Works, has agreed to be the Lead Authority in the delivery of flood relief schemes at Dundalk / Blackrock South, Drogheda, Carlingford / Greenore, Baltray and Ardee, all of which are in...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Risk Management (28 Nov 2023)

Patrick O'Donovan: The Office of Public Works (OPW), as the lead agency for flood risk management, is coordinating the delivery of measures towards meeting the Government’s National Flood Risk Policy. A broad range of structural and non-structural measures have already been implemented to address flood risk under an approach structured around three pillars: prevention, protection and preparedness. ...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Risk Management (28 Nov 2023)

Patrick O'Donovan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 47 and 213 together. The Office of Public Works (OPW) in partnership with Cork City Council are engaging proactively to progress the Glashaboy flood relief scheme for Glanmire. The Glashaboy Flood Relief Scheme was confirmed in January 2021 by the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform under the Arterial...