John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 168: To ask the Minister for Finance if the Office of Public Works and the local authority concerned will clean and maintain the river bank at the rear of a premises (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30428/06]

Tom Parlon (Laois-Offaly, Progressive Democrats)
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My officials advise me that the Commissioners of Public Works are responsible for the maintenance of the flood defences (embankments, wall, etc.) constructed as part of the flood relief scheme in Kilkenny and also clearing any vegetation, branches which encroach into the river channel and affect the hydraulic flow of the river. The Commissioners' responsibilities do not extend to the cleaning and maintenance of the area between the river and peoples properties. An old silted-up mill race runs through the area between the river bank and the property boundaries of houses in the area in question. In the past, litter and other debris has accumulated in this area. During the works on the drainage scheme, the local authority was unable to gain access to this area as the site was in the possession of the contractor undertaking the drainage works. In these circumstances, the OPW exceptionally arranged for the contractor to clean up the area at that time.