Tom Parlon (Laois-Offaly, Progressive Democrats)

Drainage works on the River Nanny formed part of the Corrib-Clare catchment drainage scheme carried out by OPW in the 1960s. However, as the water supply for Tuam was taken from the River Nanny it was not possible to carry out that part of the scheme. Approximately 17 km. of the river and its tributaries were affected.

In 1998, a new water supply was provided in Tuam and the question of completing the work on the River Nanny was proposed by local landowners and public representatives. Clearly, this proposal has to be considered in the current context and not as the final part of a scheme designed and carried out in the 1960s. As the Senator is aware, a policy decision was taken in the 1980s to discontinue arterial drainage schemes. The emphasis is now focused more on the local rather than the catchment level.

Any proposal for flood relief or drainage works must now meet certain criteria. The proposed works must be technically feasible, must have a positive benefit to cost ratio and must be acceptable on environmental grounds. If all these criteria are met, the overriding consideration of financial resources and the obligation to prioritise these in the areas of greatest need must be borne in mind.

In response to requests for works on the River Nanny, the OPW reviewed the designs, environmental impact and the benefit to cost ratio of the works in the period 2000 to 2001. The estimated cost in that period was €1.3 million. This was based on an outline design only and would be likely to increase as the detailed design developed. The work would extend along a 17 km. stretch and include the widening, deepening and cleaning of the channel as well as replacement of stone arch and stone culvert bridges. The cost benefit analysis concluded that the work would not yield significant benefits because the benefits arising are limited to agricultural lands. Buildings and roads are not significantly affected by the flooding and consequently do not contribute to the benefit calculation.

On the basis of this information, the proposed works for the River Nanny in Tuam are not cost-beneficial and therefore cannot be undertaken by the OPW. I fully appreciate the problems caused for landowners by recurrent flooding. Having said that, I cannot approve the progression of any project that does not represent value for money and unfortunately this is the position I find myself in regarding the proposed works for the River Nanny.

The Senator has referred to repairs to bridges on the River Nanny that are being carried out by Galway County Council. The OPW has had no communication from the county council about these and therefore I presume that the county council considers that such works are a local authority matter.