Written answers

Tuesday, 19 January 2010

Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government

River Basin Management

9:00 pm

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 899: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that all rivers, streams and watercourses left to their own devices will over years require cleaning, de-silting or general maintenance as this has been proven throughout the midlands with particular reference to the Bog of Allen; if his further attention has been drawn to the fact that his Department, the local authorities and the Office of Public Works have previously cooperated in such de-silting and maintenance activity; his views on the frustration and annoyance caused by his comments to the effect that de-silting would not positively impact on areas in the Shannon Estuary; if he will undertake a reappraisal of drainage requirements throughout the country with a view to addressing these issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1920/10]

Photo of John GormleyJohn Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Flood risk management is a complex undertaking and desilting of rivers is only one of many measures that may be used to manage risk. Desilting in one location may have adverse consequences elsewhere in the catchment.

Primary responsibility for flood risk management rests with the Office of Public Works, which has the lead agency role in relation to devising and implementing measures, including flood relief schemes, to deal with flooding in Ireland.

It is national flood policy that flood risk be managed in a catchment-based manner through a framework of Catchment Flood Risk Management Plans (CFRMPs). In response to this policy, the OPW has developed and is currently pilot testing a method to meet these and other requirements through Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management Studies (CFRAM Studies).

I understand that OPW is nearing completion of the Pilot CFRAM Studies for the Lee and Dodder catchments and is in the process of procuring consultancy services for the national CFRAM implementation programme, which will include the Shannon. It is expected that all contracts will be commissioned this year to enable timely delivery on requirements under the EU 'Floods' Directive.

In relation to the Bog of Allen, the extraction and processing of peat is an activity controlled directly by the EPA through Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC) licensing. The most recent EPA report on environmental enforcement shows that the level of compliance for the peat sub-sector over the period 2006-2008 was generally satisfactory.

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