Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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89. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he has received a report independently commissioned by an organisation (details supplied) carried out by persons that are experts in flood management and climate change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43108/17]

Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)
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The Office of Public Works (OPW) has received in recent days a copy of a report by HR Wallingford commissioned by the “savecorkcity” group to support that group's claims that a tidal barrier for Cork City would cost in the region of €140 million. The report is being considered by the OPW and its technical advisers. The OPW would note that the report addresses the estimated cost of the particular tidal barrier design proposal put forward by “savecorkcity” rather than being a report by HR Wallingford on its own consideration of the potential for and design of a tidal barrier.

From a preliminary review of the Wallingford report, the OPW notes that it lacks detail on cost breakdowns and does not adequately address some fundamental issues such as navigation requirements within Cork harbour or the environmental constraints which would arise due to the proximity of Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) and Special Protection Areas (SPA) in the Harbour and which would be very difficult to overcome. It is also noted that the report sets out the project costs at €165m rather than the figure of €140m being quoted in the media.

In addition, the report does not include for any measures to deal with the fluvial flooding problem which exists through the City up to Inniscarra dam, all of which would still be required even if a tidal barrage was constructed.

As part of the public consultation process on the Lower Lee Flood Relief Scheme, the OPW is committed to producing a comprehensive report on the costs surrounding the potential for a tidal barrier in Cork and this report is currently being finalised by our consultants. Its preliminary findings confirm the previously advised position of the OPW that a tidal barrier is not currently viable and would in fact, cost many times the figures being put forward by the “savecorkcity” group. OPW with its technical advisers will also, as part of this process, undertake a cost estimate of the “savecorkcity” proposal.