Kevin Boxer Moran
Longford-Westmeath · Independent · Ireland
“I understand the Deputy's frustration and that of the people in the Gort lowlands. This is a very complex scheme. It is one of the most complex we have in the country. When we talk about swallow holes, turloughs and underground water, it is very complex. That is why we have the experts in the field working on this.”
“There has been a significant amount of public and stakeholder consultation for the scheme and Galway County Council and the OPW are presenting the emerging preferred option. The scheme, when completed, is expected to provide protection to 115 properties: 50 residential and 65 commercial.”
“This is a complex scheme but as the Deputy is aware, I made changes to the minor works scheme to allow local authorities to look at measures to facilitate them and the funding is there in that regard. That could be looked at.”
“I thank the Deputy for his kind words. The OPW does good work right across the region and particularly in his constituency, as he has outlined. I get asked to take over this castle or this monument every day of the week, and I do not have an endless pot to do that.”
“The Office of Public Works, OPW, and Galway County Council are working together on the development of the south Galway, Gort lowlands, flood relief scheme with Galway County Council acting as the lead authority.”
“It is not always the case that the OPW is delaying it; we are not. We are working collectively with Galway County Council in this case and with the people. We have had a number of consultations and I will continue to engage with the Deputy and others. I have been invited down to a meeting there shortly.”
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“Prevention is aimed at avoiding or removing flood risk that can be achieved, for example, by avoiding construction in flood-prone areas. Protection is aimed at reducing the likelihood and severity of flood events. This typically involves physical works, such as defending at-risk areas from flooding through the delivery of major flood relief schemes. Preparedness includes actions and measures that can be taken to reduce the consequence of flooding by, for example, informing the public about preparing for a risk of flooding and taking the appropriate action during the flood event. Though I will focus primarily on the protection policy pillar in these opening remarks, I welcome Senators' statements in respect of any of these specific policy areas.”
“The whole-of-government approach is necessary to support flood risk management so that Departments and State agencies each take the lead to provide effective supports and policy measures within their areas of responsibility and to promote and address community and individual responses. The core policy objective is to reduce to the greatest extent possible the impact of flooding on homes and businesses across the country. In doing so, the OPW delivers a range of structural and non-structural measures, including working closely with local authorities to progress flood relief schemes for at-risk communities nationwide. Flood policy has three key pillars of prevention, protection and preparedness, which are underpinned by research and data evidence.”
“I am grateful for the opportunity to attend the House. I appreciate the opportunity to address this important issue. I am joined by members of the flood risk management division of the Office of Public Works, OPW. I will focus on the specific area of flooding that Senators have raised. I will briefly outline some of the relevant context, achievements and challenges. The OPW co-ordinates the whole-of-government approach to managing coastal and river flooding and its social, economic and environmental impacts through the interdepartmental flood policy co-ordination group.”
“I am invited to attend many events. I appreciate the offer. I have to go up and down the country to look at flood schemes. I assure the Deputy that I have been in Kilkenny Castle. I met with my team yesterday to discuss a number of different projects. Kilkenny Castle was at the top of the list. We are investing heavily in the project. I will always support Deputies coming to my Department and, in particular, to me to discuss projects like this.”
“People have been talking about flooding, but the weather has been good for the visitors. I agree with the Deputy's suggestion. Everyone should get into their cars and travel. I encourage that them to do so.”
“You could not get better advertising than that. When he mentioned getting the cheque book, I looked at the man on my right and he smiled. We all know, particularly those of us in government, how important Kilkenny Castle is to the economy and to Kilkenny. The OPW has invested hugely in it and will continue to do so. As I stated, there are some good projects coming down the line that will enhance the experience for visitors. We will continue to do that. I will gladly work with the Deputy and other Members in relation to this matter. The Deputy referred to the castle as a jewel in the crown. That is the case with all our national monuments. When we think of what the castle does and provides, we can see that it is of enormous value. The weather has been very good over the past week.”
“These proposed works will facilitate universal access. The project will incorporate lift access to the picture gallery, as well as a changing places bathroom facility. As part of these works, the OPW plans to carry out fabric repair works to the picture gallery. Section 57 consent has been obtained from the local planning authority for these works. The visitor reception and ticket office will be relocated. The location of the current ticket office is unsatisfactory and too small to accommodate the two guides needed during busy periods. The project team is engaged in producing a detailed design. Subject to the availability of technical resources and funding, this project will be put out to tender next year.”
“Preliminary investigations of the cause of water ingress in some areas were conducted in January. This work identified a need for some flashing and slate repair to or replacement of certain roofs. Following further assessment, it is expected that some of this work can be addressed in 2025. Some of the necessary roof works may be incorporated in the future development works in the picture gallery wing. Archaeological investigation works were conducted last November to investigate subsurface conditions. The findings of this investigation will inform the engineering approach for conducting the forthcoming development works, including courtyard resurfacing that will take place as part as of the major development of the project. The OPW has secured planning permission for major conservation work to improve accessibility to the castle.”
“I thank the Deputy for his words of encouragement. The OPW is responsible for the conservation, care and preservation of Kilkenny Castle and parkland. In 2024, there were approximately 417,000 ticket visitors to Kilkenny Castle and 780,000 to the parkland. The OPW delivers an annual programme of maintenance and conservation at the castle. Planned maintenance works, including mechanical and electric works and window maintenance, continue to be undertaken. Painting and decorating, cabling, lighting and infrastructure upgrades and improvements in the castle wing were undertaken during 2024. Further maintenance works on lighting in the picture gallery will be taking place this year. Improvement works to the river steps and further painting work are also planned for 2025.”
“I will give the Deputy an answer to the question he put to me but some of the issues he is putting to me now are very detailed. I apologise for the simple reason that last time we were here, he put questions to me and I did not have the answers. However, this time I have the answer and it is back to him. I will gladly work with him. There is a huge body of work being done. It is hard to predict when we will have everything because it changes from time to time. The different groups we have now set up for flooding are working well and are well maintained and managed. Good proposals have come from them but I would gladly sit down with the Deputy and have a chat about this.”
“I want to answer the question put to me. Other stuff has been brought up in relation to the Deputy's area and I fully understand that. I will get to him on that. On the question, I can only say what I say to every Member of the House. When a politician turns the sod at a Garda station, it could be 11 years before we see that Garda station. The very same occurs with planning permission for flood defences. There are many hurdles. As a Department, we have to adhere to all these environmental things in order to deliver these schemes. Even though I announced a scheme back in the day, things change and can delay a scheme. I will get back to the Deputy with a detailed answer in due course.”
“The purpose of the group is to give regard to the extent of non-structural solutions informing the implementation strategy of the 2018 flood risk management plans and to ensure policies that can benefit communities and individuals directly are carefully considered. The group is preparing a wide range of significant policy initiatives, including avoiding construction in flood-prone areas, protecting at-risk communities against their significant flood risk and planning responses to reduce the impacts of flood events on communities and individuals. Many actions identified are now being implemented by the relevant Departments and offices. The group meets twice per annum and last met on 23 October 2024, with a further meeting due to be held imminently. I will give the Deputy more on that later.”
“The group, which is chaired by the OPW, co-ordinates the work of all members to maximise flood risk mitigation. The group meets biannually and is due to meet this month. The group produces an annual work programme which demonstrates the extensive work and co-ordination by all State bodies to jointly help address flood risk on the Shannon under the following themes of activity: physical works, maintenance, water management, regulatory, policy and planning. The group has structured progress in several collaborative initiatives, including a planned programme of maintenance works. The interdepartmental flood policy co-ordination group chaired by the OPW is a whole-of-government cross-sectoral group which co-ordinates national flood policy development and implementation.”
“The Office of Public Works, OPW, as the lead agency for flood risk management, is co-ordinating the delivery of measures towards meeting the Government’s national flood risk policy. A broad range of structural and non-structural measures have already been implemented to address flood risk under an approach structured around three pillars: prevention, protection, and preparedness. In the course of its work, the OPW engages with other Departments and State agencies through a variety of key groups and I will briefly outline the work of some of these groups. In 2016, the Government established the Shannon Flood Risk State Agency Co-ordination Working Group to improve co-ordination between all State agencies involved with the River Shannon and to introduce co-ordinated flood risk solutions.”
“It started off with four or five cells and ended up with 11 or 13. These all take time. The CFRAM programme set out to do a job. It has done the job and when they appointed the consultants, they realised the scheme was way bigger than it was. I will give the assurance that I will be hands-on and I will do what is necessary to bring it to a conclusion.”
“My interest in flooding is no different from the Deputy's or the whole country. I give her a firm commitment. I have to follow the rules that are set out in front of me. I am working with the local authority and the Deputy and other Deputies from the region, and I will continue to work with them as I have in the past. My job as Minister of State is to deliver a scheme and when it goes from 312 properties to nearly 1,000, it means the scheme is broader and bigger and takes a lot more time. I understand that, and I hope the Deputy does. However, I will give her a commitment-----”
“If they need to do works such as minor works, the money is there for them. I have always helped to facilitate them in any way we can, as does the whole of government.”
“I really understand. I spoke to a great number of people in Galway. I was there when it flooded in the days when I was Minister of State previously. I understand the Deputy's frustration, but compared to the initial CFRAM study, we have gone from 312 to 940 properties. That takes in a huge area of Galway and many stakeholders. A lot of consultation has taken place. We have one chance to get it right. We cannot afford to get it wrong. There is a lot of work going on. From the day a scheme is announced to the day we get it on the ground takes between nine and ten years. It is very frustrating. We have a job in hand, however, working with the lead authority, which in this case is Galway City Council. I work closely with the officials, no more than the Deputy, and I give them every opportunity.”
“There will be an opportunity for the public to view and comment on the design options, currently scheduled to take place in June 2025. Thereafter, the emerging preferred option will be significantly developed by the scheme consultants in conjunction with Galway City Council, and it is anticipated that this will be finalised in early 2026.”
“The revised scope includes quay walls that extend from the Galway dock area, including along Long Walk and the Spanish Arch. The properties in the Claddagh area, along Grattan Road and Father Griffin Road will be protected by the construction of a quay wall along the Claddagh basin and Nimmo's Pier. Flood defences along the property line, localised land and road raising in Salthill will manage wave overtopping risks. Galway City Council submitted a request for additional funding to the OPW for an increase in the fees to facilitate the revised scope, and this was subsequently approved in June 2024. The revised programme was published on the scheme website in January 2025, with the scheme currently progressing with development of the design options.”
“The catchment flood risk assessment and management, CFRAM, programme was the largest study of flood risk in the country, studying the flood risk for some two thirds of the population. Following and based on the CFRAM study outputs, Galway City Council appointed consultant engineers in November 2020 to design an option to protect the city from a significant flood event in the future. The work completed by the consultants has identified that the scale of flood risk in Galway city is much greater than that identified in the strategic CFRAM study. A revised scope reflecting the additional works for the scheme was presented by the scheme’s consultants to Galway City Council, the leading authority for the scheme. The scheme was originally intended to protect 312 properties. The revised scheme is designed to protect 940 properties.”
“If the Deputy knows someone who requires a property and if he has information, I would be glad to work with him to see whether we can find an end use for it.”
“The Government is doing everything possible to help those people in hotels. On the question the Deputy asked, we have offered a great number of properties to different organisations, such as local authorities and local groups. If the Deputy knows where there are properties, he should make that information available to me and I will look into them. It is easy to stand up - I am not being critical here - and talk about properties in different parts of the country, but it is not always easy to find an end use for them because some are in isolated areas. There is always a use for any property that is in an urban setting, but some of the properties we have are not in areas where people require them.”
“We always look at State bodies first and then we release them to the local authorities if they require them. However, it is not always the case that the properties are situated in areas where they are wanted by the different departments.”
“There is a clear process we have to follow and the Deputy is well aware that, if I did not follow it, he would be standing opposite telling me I had done this and that and had not followed the proper procedure. Fourteen properties went to Tipperary County Council for social housing. Eight residential units in Dublin city centre were leased to housing agencies. A building in Crumlin was leased to Dublin City Council for use as a family hub. Two former Garda stations in Cork were transferred to social housing. Three Garda stations in Limerick went to social housing. The list goes on. We have followed all the criteria that are in place. No more than any other agency, the OPW has an enormous number of properties. For some of them, we go through the process of releasing them to local authorities.”
“The breakdown for each of the years 2015 to 2024 is as follows: 28 properties disposed of in 2015 for €3,590,198; 19 properties disposed of in 2016 for €3,338,500; eight properties disposed of in 2017 for €522,500; ten properties disposed of in 2018 for €2,112,011; seven properties disposed of in 2019 for €5,250,500; 22 properties disposed of in 2020 for €2,550,000;-----”
“If no State use is identified, the OPW considers whether open market disposal is an option, depending on prevailing market conditions. The OPW may consider community involvement, subject to a detailed submission that demonstrates that the community or voluntary group seeking to use the property has the means to insure, maintain and manage it in order to reduce costs to the Exchequer. As a matter of policy, no property is disposed of until it is absolutely certain that there is no alternative State use for that property. The OPW has disposed of 171 properties over the past ten years, garnering an income of more than €35.5 million for the Exchequer.”
“The OPW, like other State bodies, is obliged to follow Government policies on the disposal of surplus properties and the arrangements involved are set out in Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform circulars, Circular 11/2015 on protocols for the transfer and sharing of State property assets, and Circular 17/2016 on the policy for property acquisition and disposal of surplus property. The OPW’s policy in managing surplus properties is to establish if the property is required for alternative State use, including the potential for it to be repurposed for Departments or the wider public service. A number of strategic properties are retained in anticipation of potential State use or development in line with service demands arising from Government policy changes to public service provision.”
“Any public consultation on the supplementary information to be provided by the Office of Public Works will be a matter for the Minister for public expenditure, infrastructure, public service reform and digitalisation. The Office of Public Works will continue to engage with that Department, as appropriate, to further progress the scheme. It is with the Department and as soon as it comes out - I do not want to be long-winded but I have to wait for that process to take place - I will revert to the Deputy. I will do my best to progress the scheme in the near future.”
“I understand the Deputy's frustration and that of the people he represents in his constituency. However, once the judicial review came in, that also delayed the process. We have to carry out the environmental assessment. It is very important we do so. If we do not and it is challenged again, the Deputy will be the very one standing up to challenge me on why the proper procedures were not carried out. I am doing everything in my power to bring this to a conclusion. It is with the Department at present. As soon as we get it out there, I will progress the scheme.”
“Additionally, the OPW has recently received and is reviewing a draft update to the environmental impact assessment report, EIAR, which was prepared by the OPW’s consultant. This report was updated to take account of relevant surveys, including field surveys, invasive species surveys, mammal surveys, bat surveys, fisheries surveys, otter surveys and ecological surveys. Supplementary information and an updated EIAR will be submitted to the Minister for public expenditure.”
“In June 2021, this decision was challenged by a community group that was granted leave to apply for a judicial review of the decision. The Minister agreed to consent to an order reverting the evaluation of the Blackpool flood relief scheme back for further public consultation. This resulted in further information being requested from the OPW in support of the request for consent under the Arterial Drainage Act 1945. The OPW provided a response to this request in October 2022. In November 2023, a further request was made to the OPW to provide supplementary environmental information that required some additional environmental surveys. In line with seasonal restrictions, these surveys were conducted throughout 2024.”
“The River Bride flood relief scheme in Blackpool was initiated in 2013 following a major flood that occurred in 2012 and is expected to provide protection from the River Bride for some 290 residential and commercial properties. The Blackpool area has an extensive history of flooding, with at least 15 flood events occurring since 1974, including recent flood events arising from storms such as Storm Babet. The proposed scheme design includes conveyance improvements, flood defence embankments, walls and pumping stations and has an estimated budget of €20.5 million. In 2018, the scheme design was submitted to the former Minister for public expenditure for statutory confirmation under the Arterial Drainage Act 1945, as amended, and ministerial confirmation was granted in 2021.”
“As I said at the outset, I know too well the effects flooding has on people. I know the frightening effects on people when they hear the downpours after they go to bed at night. I was in Portugal recently representing the Government and the people of Ireland and saw at first hand the issues they have. I was also there to see if we can learn from and work with them. There are things we can do to speed up the process but it is about working together. I will work with the Senator and he will work with me, and that is the way I look forward to working with the councillors, especially those on Enniscorthy municipal district council. I did meet some of them recently to discuss another issue which we have finally resolved. I will have news in the coming weeks on flooding in terms of minor works and other things.”
“My ministerial predecessor, Deputy Patrick O'Donovan, at a meeting of Enniscorthy MDC on 4 May 2022, gave a commitment to deliver the flood relief scheme in Enniscorthy. I confirm to the Senator today that I am 100% committed to the flood relief scheme in Enniscorthy. People ask us to visit and I will gladly do that but there are issues. The environmental element is slowing down the process and delivery of the scheme but I am looking at ways to streamline that. I will also gladly take up the offer to meet the Senator and his colleagues, particularly the councillors. I was very good to Enniscorthy when I was Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works. I continue my work now by giving the Senator a commitment that I want the delivery of the scheme and I promise that.”
“The main elements of the proposed scheme included construction of flood defence walls, river channel widening and deepening, and removal of the Seamus Rafter Bridge, with construction of new and replacement road and pedestrian bridges over the River Slaney. In March 2022, the then Minister made a decision to refuse this scheme consent under section 7E(1)(b) of the Arterial Drainage Acts, as amended by the European Union (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Arterial Drainage) Regulations 2019. The Minister reached the decision to refuse consent for the scheme due primarily to concerns regarding its impact on the environment and protected species, including the freshwater pearl mussel.”
“I thank the Senator for raising this important matter. I have seen first-hand the devastation that flooding has on people, businesses and communities. The town of Enniscorthy has a long history of flooding. The most recent flood events occurred in 2000 and 2015. Flooding represents a risk to health and safety. In Enniscorthy, it has resulted in significant property damage and traffic disruption. In March 2020, the Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland submitted the Enniscorthy food relief scheme to the then Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform for statutory confirmation under the provisions of the Arterial Drainage Acts 1945 and 1995.”
“I could not agree with the Senator more. The Iveagh Gardens are a jewel in the crown and a site visited by great numbers of people. As I said in my response, the planning application was dealt with by An Bord Pleanála. It stated quite clearly that the development will do little or no damage to the site. I hear the Senator's point, and it is well made. It is something I will take further. I will come back to him on some of the questions he has asked he put to me. I will visit the site. There is no point saying I will not. This has gone on for a long number of years. Ultimately, a huge amount of money is needed to do what is required. It will be a Government decision and will not fall under my remit. I fully respect what the Senator said to me and I appreciate his remarks.”
“The provision of the funds to meet the costs of the development and separately the future operating model of the national children's science centre will need to be established and a Government decision will be required.”
“Its development will form part of an overall restoration and refurbishment programme for this 110-year-old State-owned building. The important works will safeguard the historic site for another 100 years. This overall site restoration programme represents 58% of the total estimated cost of the national children's science centre project. The outcome of the 2021 arbitration proceedings involving the OPW and the ICML found in favour of the latter. While there is a legally binding contract, the OPW is conscious of the concerns raised to the effect that this project should be subject to robust value-for-money analysis before Exchequer funding can be committed to it. Notwithstanding that, the OPW has a legal obligation to build the science centre in accordance with the contract.”
“The planning submission made by the OPW, along with the response to the third-party appeal issued to An Bord Pleanála, addressed all the issues raised regarding any possible impacts to the Iveagh Gardens. This is supported by An Bord Pleanála within the report of the inspectors. The concerns expressed in the petition from the Save the lveagh Gardens group were addressed as part of the OPW planning application. An Bord Pleanála accepted the OPW's submission in its decision. The development of the national children's science centre will not lead to the destruction or any loss of the lveagh Gardens. It will, in fact, increase the overall area of the lveagh Gardens. The proposed national children's science centre will be mainly located in the North Butler wing of the Earlsfort Terrace complex.”
“I thank the Senator for raising this matter. The lveagh Gardens were placed in the care of the OPW in 1991. The OPW's remit includes the restoration and conservation of the gardens, while allowing greater public access. The OPW continues to restore and maintain the gardens. It will continue to do so into the future. The Dublin City Council development plan reinforces the safeguarding of the lveagh Gardens through the zoning of the gardens as open space amenity. The lveagh Gardens are also listed on the register of protected structures. The OPW is committed to its role as custodian of the lveagh Gardens. The proposed development of the national children's science centre received a full grant of planning permission from Dublin City Council in March 2024 following a third-party appeal to An Bord Pleanála.”
“I know that the Senator is deeply upset and annoyed on behalf of the people in the area, particularly as they face this problem on a daily basis. If water flows down from the mountain or if the river rises, the problem that arises is who is there to help. I will be there to help the Senator, but also the people he represents.”
“I thank the Senator. I will take him up on that offer. I assure the Senator that funding is not the issue. There are certain criteria that have to be met. Working with the local authorities, it is fine to go in and do something but that may cause problems further down the track. I am fully aware of the issues that exist down there. My team met with Kerry County Council, and they are working on this. While it is not at the pace that the Senator or I would like, we have to take the necessary measures in order to ensure that whatever we do in the future will protect the people. I assure the Senator that when I visit the area, I will examine the issue to which he refers at first hand and will come back to him on it.”
“This minor works scheme was introduced by the OPW on an administrative, non-statutory basis in 2009. The purpose of the scheme is to provide funding to local authorities to undertake minor flood mitigation works or studies to address localised fluvial flooding and coastal protection problems within their administrative areas. The scheme generally applies where a solution can be readily identified and achieved in a short timeframe. The works to be funded are carried out under local authority powers.”
“As a first step, it was agreed that Kerry County Council would engage consultants to do a factual report on the event. This report is due to be available in the coming weeks. It will then be open to Kerry County Council to apply to the OPW for funding for temporary measures, pending the commencement of the Listowel scheme for these communities, should such measures be identified. My officials will engage with Kerry County Council and its consultants on this report. Once this report is made available, the OPW will continue to engage with Kerry County Council and its consultants to assist in determining what measures may be possible to implement and the next steps to deliver these measures. Funding for some of these measures can be considered through the OPW’s minor flood mitigation and coastal protection works scheme.”
“I thank the Senator for raising this important matter. I assure him that I am very aware of the recent flood event that occurred in Listowel-Killocrim in November 2024 and the devastation that was caused to many properties. I understand that the level recorded in the River Feale was the highest ever recorded and as a result a significant number of properties were affected in both the Listowel and Killocrim areas in the west of Listowel. After the event, the officials from the OPW met with the residents and Kerry County Council to review what had happened and to come up with a plan to address what measures could be put in place in advance of the larger scheme proposed for Listowel, as part of the flood risk management plan for this area.”
“I fully understand. Nobody knows more about flooding than I do. I have seen it not just in Athlone but all over the country. I have been engaged with my officials. In regard to a humanitarian fund, I will see where that is at and try to get it to those people. I can assure the Senator that my officials are working closely with me and the council. I have been invited to that particular area again. I am a person who, when I go to an area, I want to have something to say. I do not want to go and be long-winded. I want to make sure the people who woke up that morning have the fire brigades and the necessary people around them. I want to ease the worry and fear they have. I want to assure them that, as Minister of State, I will be behind them and help them as best I can. However, as I said, I will work with the local authority.”
“The council is to review and prioritise a long list of potential measures that could be achieved on a short- and medium-term basis, informed in part by the consenting requirements for each measure.”
“The first phase of these works is now under way. Donegal County Council has been given approval to undertake channel clearance and drainage works and to undertake an assessment of the drainage network together with supply and installation of non-return valves on the council’s owned roads drainage system. Donegal County Council has also been approved to engage consultants to undertake a hydrological review of the CFRAM data, updating it to include the November 2024 event as well as the 2017 event, if possible, such that 2024 and 2017 return periods are estimated and design flows updated accordingly as necessary. This potentially could include a review of the existing topographic sections with a recommendation on what new survey data may be required.”