Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)

Ba mhaith liom mo bhuíochas a ghabháil le Seanadóirí Mansergh agus Ó Murchú as an cheist seo a ardú.

I am delighted to be able to outline the Government's position to the House and apologise for the absence of my colleague, Deputy Parlon, Minister of State at the Department of Finance who is abroad at an EU ministerial meeting.

Following severe flooding in Clonmel in the late 1990s a flood relief scheme was developed by the OPW. The scheme was publicly exhibited, as required under the Arterial Drainage Acts, in December 2001 and January 2002. Concerns were raised by Waterford and South Tipperary county councils that there might be contaminated material in the river bed, which was due to be dredged as part of the alleviation measures and which would therefore have major environmental implications.

As a result of these concerns, the proposed scheme was re-examined and a revised scheme was proposed earlier this year. This scheme included the use of demountable defences, which have developed greatly in the last few years. The revised scheme has the advantage of not requiring dredging of the river, along with increasing the level of protection against flooding from a one in 50 to a one in 100 year level.

In April of this year the Minister of State, Deputy Parlon, attended a meeting with the elected members of the borough council where he outlined the revised scheme and the way in which it was to be implemented. It was explained to the members that it was hoped to implement the scheme in a phased manner over a period of four to six years, depending on available funding. It will be necessary to have a formal public exhibition of the scheme, as required under the Arterial Drainage Acts. This will allow the local authority, local residents, businesses and any other interested parties to view the proposed scheme and make any observations on it if they wish. The OPW intends to hold the exhibition as early as possible in 2005. The Minister of State, Deputy Parlon, has asked OPW officials to examine the possibility of bringing this forward in light of the flooding last week. They are looking into that possibility but they have indicated that the timetable is already tight.

Subject to a successful public exhibition, the next step is to submit a scheme to the Minister for Finance for confirmation in accordance with the Arterial Drainage Acts. Detailed design and construction will follow, subject to availability of the necessary funding. The Minister of State, Deputy Parlon, has already indicated that funds are available for cleaning works to try to improve conditions in the river pending implementation of the full scheme. OPW officials are urgently reviewing the works proposed in light of the experience of the flooding last week to ensure that the most effective possible use is made of those funds. It is intended that those works will proceed as soon as possible.

The scheme envisaged for Clonmel will require the development of a flood warning system. The OPW has already begun the development of the system. It is intended that installation of the necessary data-gathering equipment will commence in the next two months. It is expected that a preliminary model of the flood warning system will be developed by June 2005. This model will require further calibration and an active flood warning system will be available in 2006.

The Government yesterday approved a humanitarian aid package to relieve hardship arising from the flooding of people's homes as a result of this severe rainfall. The purpose of the scheme is solely to provide humanitarian assistance to relieve hardship and is not intended to provide compensation for loss. All areas throughout the country affected by last week's flooding will be considered in the scheme.

OPW officials met with representatives of the Irish Red Cross Society this morning to progress the matter and details of the scheme will be announced as quickly as possible. All applications for humanitarian aid will be dealt with on a strictly confidential basis in accordance with the IRCS's fundamental principles of impartiality, humanity, independence, neutrality and voluntary service, as well as its wide experience in disaster relief both nationally and internationally. The IRCS has considerable professional experience in dealing compassionately, impartially, effectively and in a timely fashion with the disbursement of such humanitarian funds.