Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 106: To ask the Minister for Finance when he will implement the EU directive on flood control; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46139/09]

Martin Mansergh (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)
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The Draft Regulation to transpose Directive 2007/60/EC is complete, and is awaiting a clarification on a single legal point from the Office of the Attorney General.

It is expected that the transposition will be completed within a few weeks and I am informed that this timing is in concert with many other Member States.

The Report of the Flood Policy Review Group (2004), approved by Government, recommended that the OPW should be the lead agency within the State for all matters concerned with flood risk management.

Directive 2007/60/EC of the European Parliament and the Council on the Assessment and Management of Flood Risk (EU Floods Directive), is primarily concerned with the assessment and management of flood risks, with the aim of reducing adverse consequence for human health, the environment, cultural heritage and economic activities associated with floods in the European Community.

There is an alignment between the recommendations of the Report of the Floods Policy Review Group 2004 and the requirement of the EU Floods Directive. The outputs from Flood Mapping and Flood Risk Assessment and Management studies programmes, which commenced on foot of the national flood policy, adopted by Government in 2004, will satisfy the requirements of the Floods Directive. Accordingly, the process of implementing the flood risk assessment programmes under national policy is taking place in conjunction with the transposition of the EU Floods Directive into Irish Law.

Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 107: To ask the Minister for Finance the provision of flooding defence that will be put in place for Carrick-on-Shannon. [46228/09]

Martin Mansergh (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)
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I visited the Carrick-on-Shannon area on Tuesday 1 December, and witnessed at first hand the level of devastation experienced in the area. While it is too early to comment on what flood alleviation measures can be usefully provided in this area, I should point out that the Engineering Division of the Office of Public Works (OPW) has met with Leitrim County Council in relation to this matter.

Further meetings are planned with the Local Authority, and it is anticipated that Leitrim County Council will submit proposals to the Commissioners of Public Works for priority flood alleviation works under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works Scheme, where funding of up to 90% of the cost of qualifying works or studies would be provided by the OPW, provided the proposed works meet specific economic and environmental criteria.

The Shannon Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) study will identify flood risk areas throughout the catchment and will produce a comprehensive plan of measures for dealing with the risk, where it is considered significant. The plan may recommend non-structural, as well as structural measures. The procurement process for this study has already begun, and it is expected that the study will be commissioned by mid-2010.

The OPW will lead the CFRAM, but will undertake the study in partnership with the local authorities, and will involve all stakeholders (particularly ESB and Waterways Ireland) in assessing the issues, constraints and objectives, and in developing solutions. Two meetings have already been held with local authorities to initiate the process and identify the areas where the study will focus on (this will obviously take into account the current flooding event). Further public and stakeholder consultation will take place at various stages throughout the study to facilitate broad input to the measures that will be taken forward.