Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 51: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he has reviewed the recent studies on flood defences in the Dublin region; if he has had discussions in relation to the new construction of flood planes such as in the north fringe of Dublin City; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19676/07]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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Flood Protection Works have been carried out by the Office of Public Works on the River Tolka over the past few years arising from a report prepared for Dublin City Council and part funded by OPW.

A Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management Study [CFRAMS] of the River Dodder has recently commenced. The Study is being managed by Dublin City Council and is funded by the Office of Public Works. OPW has already provided funding to Dublin City Council to construct flood barriers along a portion of the river Dodder following the severe flooding event of 2002. It is planned to commence further interim flood relief works on the Dodder shortly.

A Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management Study of the River Liffey catchment will also be undertaken as part of a programme of such studies to be commissioned over the next few years. A study of the River Tolka catchment, which will further develop the information already available, will also be undertaken as part of this programme.

The Dublin Coastal Flooding Protection Study, which was commissioned by Dublin City Council and part funded by the Office of Public Works and the Department of Transport and the Marine, which has responsibility for coastal and tidal flooding, examined the causes and impacts of flooding from Portmarnock to Booterstown. A final draft of the report is currently being examined.

The flood defence proposals contained in the draft report would have an estimated capital cost of over €100 million. The works recommended in the report will need to be implemented on an incremental basis over a period of years.

I take it that the reference to the construction of new flood planes is to development in flood plains. Planning and Development control is a matter for Local Authorities in the first instance and for An Bórd Pleanála in certain instances. OPW does not have a direct role in the matter. OPW has however, issued broad guidelines for Local Authorities on the consideration of flood risk in Development plans. The Floodmaps website developed by OPW, which carries available information on previous flood events provides a considerable amount of information, which should be useful to planners in identifying areas of potential flood risk.

OPW commissioned a study earlier this year in consultation with the Department of the Environment Heritage and Local Government and the Department Transport and the Marine, to develop more detailed policy and guidelines on flood risk management in planning and Development Plans. This study included a public consultation, which closed on 29th June. It is envisaged that the more detailed guidance will be available in the first half of 2008.