Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

916. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on whether the creation of a County Galway flood forum, consisting of representatives from Galway County Council, the OPW, the National Parks and Wildlife Service, Coillte and public representatives, is necessary; and if so, when he envisages the forum being established. [25518/16]

Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme, is the principal and core mechanism through which the most significant flood risk throughout the country is being identified, assessed and managed. This comprehensive Programme is being undertaken by engineering consultants on behalf of the Office of Public Works (OPW) working in partnership with the local authorities in all Counties in Ireland including Galway. The Programme involves the production of predictive flood mapping, the development of preliminary flood risk management options and the production of detailed flood risk management plans. The Programme involves and provides a forum for close collaboration and consultation with all the main stakeholders involved in flooding both at a national level and at Regional and County level.

Following the finalisation of the flood mapping and the preliminary flood risk management options, the final output from this important project will be integrated Flood Risk Management Plans containing specific measures that can address in a comprehensive and sustainable way the significant flood risks identified.

The most significant flood risk issues in County Galway are being examined under the Western CFRAM project. The draft Plans under the Western CFRAM were made available for Statutory Public Consultation on 13 September, 2016. The public consultation will run for ten weeks. Further details are available on the dedicated consultation website www.opw.ie/FloodPlans. Copies of the draft Plans, related Environmental Assessments and an information leaflet are available at the principal offices of each local authority.

Following the public consultation process, the draft Plans will be finalised taking on board the comments received. The finalised Plans will include a prioritised list of measures, both structural and non-structural, that can address flood risk in an environmentally sustainable and cost effective manner. The Plans, scheduled to be completed by the end of 2016, will then be sent to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform for his approval.

There are other areas not covered by the CFRAM process such as the Gort lowlands where Galway County Council will be taking the lead in bringing forward solutions.

Taking all into account I consider that there is merit in establishing such a flood forum subject to broad agreement being received from all of the stakeholders involved.