Brendan Ryan (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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230. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on the dredging works which recently took place in the Ward River Valley Park in Swords, County Dublin; if the OPW had permission to cut trees and bushes down during nesting season; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19104/19]

Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)
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The Office of Public Works (OPW) has statutory maintenance responsibility for those Catchment Drainage Schemes completed by the OPW under the Arterial Drainage Acts 1945 and 1995. The section of the River Ward referred to forms part of the Broadmeadow and Ward Arterial Drainage Scheme and is included in the OPW's 2019 maintenance programme. Work includes the removal from the channel of debris and overhanging branches which are obstructing the flow of the river. No dredging of the river is taking place.

The OPW operates within a system of Environmental Management Protocols and Standard Operating Procedures for its drainage maintenance operations.

The OPW also notifies Inland Fisheries Ireland and National Parks and Wildlife Service prior to commencing its annual planned maintenance programme.