Tony Gregory (Dublin Central, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 169: To ask the Minister for Finance the reason the section of the Tolka River wall at the rear of the houses at Tolka Road, Dublin 3 is the only section of river wall along the Dublin City stretch of the Tolka that has not been strengthened or increased in height; the estimated cost of strengthening this section of wall and increasing the wall to the same height as the new wall on the northern side of the river, directly opposite; if the Office of Public Works inspectors viewed the Tolka River at this location during the high tides of the week ending 10 December 2006 when the water was lapping the top of the wall; if he will direct the OPW to review this matter again urgently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43439/06]

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

Dublin City Council is the contracting Authority for the River Tolka flood relief works and the Office of Public Works has been advised by the City Council that the wall has been re-evaluated, in the last few weeks, by the Engineering Consultants undertaking the design of the works, and is considered to be high enough to cater for the flood event which the works are constructed for, as well as providing the necessary freeboard of 300mm. Many other walls in the City area have also been found to be of adequate height and have not been altered.

As the Deputy will be aware, parts of this wall were raised during the works in order to bring the wall to adequate defence height. As I have informed the Deputy before, the wall on the opposite side of the channel is higher in places for safety reasons as it is required to ensure a safe height from the footpath on the road side.

The Office of Public Works has not received any reports of water levels reaching the top of this wall last weekend. However, my officials have asked the City Council to investigate the matter.