Pádraic McCormack (Galway West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 244: To ask the Minister for Finance if he will accept responsibility for the flooding of the home and farmyard of a person (details supplied) in County Galway on 7 and 8 January 2005 caused for the third time in 10 years by the overflowing of the Owenshree River at Roxboro, Kilchreest, County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3524/05]

Tom Parlon (Laois-Offaly, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Office of Public Works has no responsibility for the flooding of the Owenshree River at Roxboro, Kilchreest, County Galway. The Kilchreest area forms part of a drainage district and, as such, drainage maintenance for this area is a matter for the local authority. My officials in the OPW have further advised that its engineering services division, as part of its quinquennial inspections of drainage districts, will be inspecting this district later this year with a view to ensuring that the local authority is complying with its maintenance responsibilities.

The Office of Public Works commissioned engineering consultants to prepare a report in relation to the feasibility of providing a flood alleviation scheme at Kilchreest. The report, which was completed in May 2000, outlined three options to alleviate flooding of the Owenshree River, all of which proved to be non-viable. All potential OPW flood relief schemes must be technically feasible, cost-beneficial and meet environmental impact study requirements.