Michael Finneran (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fianna Fail)

Amendment No. 3 provides for a definition of "flood risk assessment". Put simply, it is a study to assess and, if appropriate, manage a flood risk taking into account relevant issues such as current and potential future land use and development, and possible changes in climate. The First Schedule to the principal Act is to be amended to provide for the inclusion in the development plans of an objective in respect of the carrying out of a flood risk assessment as part of the control and regulation of development in areas at risk of flooding. This is to ensure that, where appropriate, a flood risk assessment is fully integrated into the planning process.

To facilitate the provision of information for stakeholders on these new mechanisms for incorporating a flood risk assessment into the planning process, the Department, in association with the Office of Public Works, will, following a comprehensive public consultation process, publish guidelines for planning authorities on the planning system and the flood risk assessment, under section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, on 30 November. These guidelines will explain in detail how to assess and manage flood risk at all stages of the planning process. They will include a commitment to a review of the exempt development provisions in the planning and development regulations which currently allow for paving of residential gardens to provide off-street car parking or hard landscaping. This review will be conducted as part of an overall review of the regulations to follow enactment of the Bill. The review will consider ways of ensuring future exemptions only apply where such developments comply with sustainable drainage principles. It should be noted that the Bill allows for the provision of an additional four-week period for the assessment of planning applications, accompanied by a flood risk assessment.