Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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1032. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he is aware of the concerns of residents of Bettystown, County Meath, regarding the proposed construction of 370 houses in a flood risk area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37204/15]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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I am aware of the matters raised by the Deputy from a previous Parliamentary Question. However, the matter raised is first and foremost a matter for the relevant local authority, which in this case is Meath County Council. With regard to the issues raised by the Deputy, the information available to me is that the area has been the subject of Flood Risk Assessment as part of the planning application process and that technical assessments of relevant planning applications by the Planning Authority from the environmental and water services perspectives were satisfactory, subject to the development being constructed in accordance with the drawings submitted and in compliance with the conditions attached.

Moreover, Meath County Council has indicated that a Part VIII planning process for a local flood scheme commenced in August of this year. On consideration of the flood scheme by the Members of Meath County Council and completion of the Part VIII planning process, the detailed design will be finalised with a view to commencing works by the summer of 2016.

Having regard to this context, it is a matter for Meath County Council to ensure that proper account has been taken of all relevant flood risk considerations in the context of its decisions on the overall development of the area, in deciding individual planning applications and undertaking investment in surface water disposal infrastructure in the area.