Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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275. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the flood defence plan for Cork as proposed by the OPW was the cheapest plan proposed; if the OPW will amend the designs to ensure no loss of amenities while also protecting the heritage of the river, the river walls and the view of the river; and if the OPW will take on board the concerns of a group (details supplied) and other residential groups in Cork concerning the installation of walls as being the main solution for protecting Cork from flooding. [9431/17]

Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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The Office of Public Works (OPW) appointed consultants in 2013 to develop proposals for a flood relief scheme for the Lower Lee as it affected Cork City and upstream to Inniscarra Dam. The consultants were tasked with developing a viable, cost effective and sustainable Scheme which built upon the findings the Lee Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Plan published in January 2014.

The Scheme must provide the standard level of protection provided for such schemes in accordance with international best practice which is taken as dealing with the 1% Annual Exceedance Probability (commonly known as a 100 year flood event) for fluvial events and the 0.5% Annual Exceedance Probability (commonly known as a 200 year flood event) for a tidal event. Significant detailed work was undertaken in arriving at the preferred option for the proposed Scheme. The project involved the review of historical flooding data, hydrological analysis and hydraulic modelling to define flood mechanisms and the extent of the problem. A multi criteria analysis, taking into account technical, environmental, social and economic factors, was carried out of the possible solutions resulting in a preferred solution which was brought to formal public exhibition in December 2016.

Options which were considered either in the Lower Lee CFRAM or during the Lower Lee Flood Relief Scheme development included upstream storage, land use management, tidal barrage, direct defences, channel widening, modifications of the upstream dams and a flood forecasting system, among others.

The preferred option, at an estimated cost of €140m, was not the lowest cost option and is the least intrusive from a visual perspective and effects the least amount of channel. While the proposed Scheme considerably reduces the flood flow of water through the City in a peak flood event, the volume of water still to be conveyed would result in considerable damage to residential and commercial premises if direct defences as proposed are not installed. The scheme has been designed by a multidisciplinary team, including Cork City Council, to ensure that there would be no loss of relationship with the river. During the development of the Scheme,Cork City Council drew on the services of the City Architect, the Heritage, Parks and Roads Sections in arriving at its position in relation to the finishes to be used on the Scheme. In many areas where there are existing railings, the proposed defence is a low wall with railings and of those new walls being constructed, their heights will be consistent with other existing walls in the City thereby ensuring that there will be no dramatic change of a pedestrian’s view of the river.

The OPW welcomes all submissions on the proposals as part of the Public Exhibition which is the final stage of a comprehensive consultative process all the way through the design of the Scheme that included a public awareness event at the inception of the project, a public information day at the stage where an emerging preferred option was identified, briefings for elected representatives and business groups in the city and consultation with a wide range of stakeholders including a large number of personal consultations by members of the Project Team with those who might be affected directly by the project. So far, approximately 150 submissions have been received, which will all be given careful consideration by the Design team. A meeting has also been arranged with the savecorkcity group during which the group will be given every opportunity to put forward its views on the proposals.

The Scheme, if implemented, will bring huge benefits to Cork City and upstream to Inniscarra with over 2,100 properties benefitting in the design flood events with a further 1,000 properties benefitting from a reduced risk from more extreme events. In addition, approximately €20m will be invested to repair circa 4kms of historic quay walls in the City as part of the Scheme.

The OPW is committed to working closely with all relevant stakeholders in progressing the much needed flood defence scheme for Cork city. The overriding objective for all concerned is to construct a scheme that will protect the businesses and other property owners from the 1 in 100 year fluvial flood event and the 1 in 200 year tidal flood event. The OPW and Cork City Council are satisfied that, overall, the design of the Scheme as proposed is sympathetic to the cultural and heritage aspects of the city and does not fundamentally alter the relationship of the river to the city and its inhabitants and visitors.