Written answers

Thursday, 5 April 2007

5:00 pm

Photo of Paul KehoePaul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 165: To ask the Minister for Finance his views on whether there will be greater problems with flooding in future years as a result of global warming particularly in the town of Enniscorthy, County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13592/07]

Photo of Paul KehoePaul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 166: To ask the Minister for Finance the measures with regard to flooding from the River Slaney in Enniscorthy, County Wexford that have been put in place by his Department and the Office of Public Works to address flooding since the last major flood in November 2000; the costs associated with such measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13593/07]

Tom Parlon (Laois-Offaly, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 165 and 166 together.

While there is a broad consensus among the specific community engaged in research on the matter, that global warming will result in increased frequency and severity of flooding there is at this stage no specific guidance on the likely extent of the impact or on how it will vary between different regions.

The Office of Public Works therefore, in designing flood relief schemes, design for the present climate condition but use measures that can be easily and economically altered for climate change, if and when it should occur. These measures include building foundations of sufficient strength to allow for wall heights to be increased and similarly, embankment footprints are selected with a view to having the embankments heightened, if so required.

With regard to Enniscorthy, the Office of Public Works carried out a Feasibility Study to examine the viability of implementing a flood relief scheme in the town. This study considered various options and was overseen by a Steering Committee comprising officials from OPW, Wexford County Council and Enniscorthy Town Council. An Environmental Impact Study was also commissioned and copies of the "Draft Feasibility Report" together with a "Draft Environmental Options Report" have been forwarded to the local authorities for consideration. A meeting of the Steering Committee is currently being arranged to discuss the recommendations of these reports and to agree the final format. A decision will then be taken as to whether the preferred flood relief option will be proceeded with which will involve the preparation of a full Environmental Impact Statement for the preferred option and preparation of documents to take the scheme to Public Exhibition.

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