Paddy Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I raise an issue that I raised before on the OPW making submissions to planning authorities on floodplains. It has made several submissions related to areas where housing has been built and where planning permission may be required or due. This has consequences for both. It has consequences for people who have houses built because they will not get insurance if the OPW has said that they are on a floodplain or that their area is likely to flood. The householder will not get insurance, which has huge consequences for them. It also has consequences for people who may be in a position to build a house and the OPW has put in a submission that it is on floodplain.

I talked to a planner recently who told me that in one area where the OPW said this, the water would need to rise 5 m before it would have any effect. Some 5 m is a huge height.

The OPW does not share the information it has with anybody. I ask that the OPW shares the information and what the reasons behind the submissions it makes are based on. I ask that it gives this information planners and local authorities. This is the least that the OPW could and should do. We should demand this from the Minister and the Government. The OPW should make public the submissions it makes related to floodplains because, as I said, it has huge consequences for people who have houses who will not get insurance, as well as for people looking for planning permissions when we are at a time with a need for houses to be built.

I would also like to-----