Bobby Aylward (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 89: To ask the Minister for Finance the body which is responsible for the upkeep of the River Nore; if he will arrange for the large trees which have fallen into the river recently to be removed and the river beds cleaned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6728/09]

Martin Mansergh (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)
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The Office of Public works implemented a programme of flood relief works for the River Nore, Kilkenny City, which was completed in 2006. The works carried out on the River Nore extend from Fennessy's Weir downstream of the By-pass Bridge in the South to approximately Bishop's Meadows; upstream of Green Street Bridge in the North, and on the River Breagagh from its confluence with the Nore to upstream of Black Cat Bridge.

The Office of Public Works are responsible for the ongoing maintenance of the River Nore within the confines of the scheme as outlined above, and I am advised by the Commissioners of Public Works that an inspection of the scheme has been carried out recently, which shows that there are no obstructions on these maintainable channels, which would create an increased flood risk. The normal build-up of debris associated with Winter water levels will be dealt with by OPW's Eastern Regional Maintenance Division as part of their maintenance programme.

Maintenance of the River Nore, including the removal of fallen trees, outside the confines of the scheme outlined above is outside the remit of the Office of Public Works, and responsibility would lie with the riparian owners and the local authority. I understand that the Deputy is referring to fallen trees in the Inistioge area, which is downstream of the River Nore (Kilkenny City) Drainage Scheme.