Michelle Mulherin (Fine Gael)
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Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. I thank the Ceann Comhairle for selecting this matter for discussion. The delay in progressing and delivering flood defence works in Crossmolina is unacceptable. People living in the town are frustrated, angry and afraid, there having almost been another flooding incident on the last weekend of August. The history of the problem long predates the Minister of State's time in office. I am sure he will tell me it is an environmental issue and that further investigation is needed. Does he not agree that the length of the delay and the manner in which the matter has been dealt with by the OPW and consultants is not acceptable? The Minister of State has visited Crossmolina and shown empathy with the people there. That gave them hope that he will cut through the red tape surrounding this project, which somebody needs to do.

When it comes to the OPW, it is a case of Nero fiddling while Rome burns. It has taken no action other than the implementation of a minor pilot project which saw the installation of flood gates on some buildings. The flood defence works for Crossmolina come under the Government's capital investment programme for 2016 to 2021. Given that the money is there for the project, why has it not progressed? The town was flooded in 1989, 2006 and in November and December 2015. There was a serious danger of flooding on many other occasions. The flood gates have helped but their impact is limited. Now the people of Crossmolina are facing another winter afraid that the flooding will recur.

People are so upset about the delay in the works because they are in a situation where they cannot get insurance and cannot sell their properties. I know of a man who cannot sell his flood damaged home or get money to refurbish it and has now received a letter from the local authority notifying him that the property constitutes a derelict site. The proposal is to build a channel upstream between Nephin Mountain and the town, but that is not what was originally proposed. In 2012, the OPW had Ryan Hanley undertake an environmental impact assessment, EIA, which resulted in a scoping document being published in July 2014. The proposal was that walls would have to be constructed on either side of the river and the bridge would have to be raised somewhat. There followed the catastrophic flooding in the town in November and December 2015. We were then told that the walls could not be built because they would interfere with the integrity of the bridge. After going back to the drawing board, the bi-channel solution was brought forward.

At a meeting of the Joint Committee on Climate Action last October attended by the Commissioners of Public Works, including Mr. Maurice Buckley and Mr. John Sydenham, I asked for a commitment that we would not face into this coming winter without the works being done. They assured me that an environmental impact report had been completed in May 2018 and they expected construction to begin in the summer of this year. That has not happened. Why are the flood defence works in Crossmolina being repeatedly delayed because of environmental issues?

Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)
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I thank the Senator for raising this matter. I welcome the opportunity to provide an update on the progress being made on the proposed flood relief scheme for Crossmolina. I would like to say at the outset that I fully appreciate the frustration of the local community and Senator Mulherin at the delays that have arisen on the project. I assure the Senator that these delays were due to legitimate technical issues that needed to be fully and properly examined.

The main outstanding technical issue relates to finalising the design for an additional in-stream flow-control structure. This is required in order to minimise the environmental impact of the diversion channel on the River Deel. The required assessment of the ecological and environmental constraints associated with the in-stream works that would be required for the proposed flow-control structure are now nearing completion, which will allow the detailed design of the project to be completed. The project team is ensuring that any tasks that can be progressed in parallel with the above environmental assessment are prioritised in order to minimise any programme delays. It is anticipated that the detailed design and preparation of the relevant documentation should be completed to allow the proposed scheme to be submitted to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform for formal confirmation before the end of the year.Following confirmation and tendering, it is anticipated that the scheme will progress to construction in the second half of 2020. Once the proposed scheme is confirmed, the OPW will contact landowners directly to provide information and advice prior to construction commencing.

As the Senator knows, I completely understand the stress that the threat of flooding causes. I am as anxious as anyone to ensure that the Crossmolina scheme is brought to construction stage and completed as quickly as possible. We must ensure, however, that we are delivering a scheme that adheres to all legislation, including Irish and European environmental legislation. As I am sure Senator Mulherin can appreciate, the delivery of a robust scheme that meets these standards and the needs of the local community is complex and cannot be rushed. Any breach of our obligations under Irish and European environmental legislation could halt the scheme and result in further delays.

The option of dredging in the River Deel has already been given serious consideration as a measure to alleviate flooding in Crossmolina. While various dredging options have been examined, it has been found that dredging on its own would not reduce flood levels sufficiently to prevent flooding of properties in the town. Dredging on the scale required to avoid flooding would also have a serious adverse impact on the Jack Garrett bridge and would be very difficult to justify on environmental grounds given the protected status of the river. The most feasible solution is to proceed with the planned channel diversion option.

As the Senator is aware, both the OPW and Mayo County Council, working in collaboration with the local flood action group, have been proactive in implementing interim flood protection measures in Crossmolina pending the construction of the permanent defences. These include individual property protection, IPP, and a number of minor works schemes. I am advised that floodgates have now been installed in more than 100 properties under the IPP scheme.

The OPW has demonstrated its commitment to providing whatever interim protection measures it can and I assure this House that the OPW will continue to work constructively with Mayo County Council and the local flood action group in this regard. As a person who has visited the town, Crossmolina is a priority for me. The Senator said at the outset that a great number of floods have taken place in the area over the years. Since I became responsible for the Office of Public Works, I have prioritised Crossmolina. I have been working with the Minister, Deputy Ring, other Deputies, and the Senator all that time. We went down there and displayed the scheme. It is a €10 million project. The flood scheme includes a diversion of 1.3 km. It is not simple mathematics. Sometimes in politics we listen to those on the outside, where everyone has the answers, but when we get into the detail to make sure that everything is correct, we must ensure that every scheme in which the OPW is involved leaves the place in a hell of a lot better condition than it was found. No scheme has ever breached. We have always worked in conjunction with the local authorities and local groups.

People in Crossmolina have been in contact with me. The Senator is right when she says that there was nearly flooding again a few weeks ago. I was on the phone to the Minister, Deputy Ring, and Deputy Calleary all night outlining the levels and heights. I apologise that I did not send the Senator a text in that regard. I feel the concern of those people just as I feel the Senator's concern today. I assure the Senator that I am doing everything I can.

Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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That was a very solid response so the Senator should not take too long. I do not think there is too much more to say.

Michelle Mulherin (Fine Gael)
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While I do not doubt the Minister of State's sincerity in this matter, I do not think this is acceptable. Even if it will only provide some relief, the river should be dredged. An environmental impact report was published in May 2018. There has been more environmental investigation since, including hydrological and geological investigation. A balance must be struck between the people on one side and habitats and wildlife on the other. The balance is not being struck. It will be of no comfort to people if their properties are flooded this winter. I ask the Minister of State to look at dredging again. It is not a total solution for the longer term; I accept that. I have spoken to the National Parks and Wildlife Service and it explained that it could be done in a sensitive way in light of the special area of conservation status and the presence of the freshwater pearl mussel in the river. I was told that this could all be accommodated but the OPW did not want to go for it. The OPW has not stepped up to the plate. It gave me commitments, which I presume it does not do lightly. It told me that the environmental work had been done and dusted by the end of May. It is now moving on to detailed design. It is going on and on. Will the OPW make up its mind? It has been going on way too long for the people of Crossmolina. It is totally unacceptable and unbelievable that people are being paid for doing this standard of a job.

Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)
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I totally disagree with the Senator.

Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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We have gone over time. The Minister of State was very detailed in his first response but I will allow him a supplementary response.

Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)
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I want to respond. It is very unfair of the Senator to criticise my Department. We are working closely with the county council and all Members. It is easy to come in here and start roaring, shouting, and giving out. That might be a Facebook trend. I have put people first in everything I have ever done in this House and I will continue to do so. I have to adhere to the law and take cognisance of environmental studies. I was in Crossmolina in May publicising the scheme. It does not happen overnight. One cannot click one's fingers and make it happen. There is a process to which we must adhere. I am doing so, but I am going to deliver. Plenty of people have sat here, talked about Crossmolina, and done nothing. I am delivering. The Senator has to give us the extra time to make sure it happens. I do not want people's properties flooded. I never have and never will.