Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen.
Thank you for inviting me to speak at today's conference. I very much welcome the initiative of the Cobh and Harbour Chamber in organising this event which is timely and relevant, coming as it does after the severe storms that affected the country over recent weeks, causing extensive property damage and personal hardship. I know that many areas in Cork, particularly coastal areas, incurred significant damage.
Responses to emergencies, including severe weather events such as these storms, are managed at local level by the principal response agencies, namely, the local authorities, An Garda Síochána and the HSE, and co-ordinated in the case of severe weather by the local authorities, within the framework for major emergency management.
I would like to commend the staff in these agencies for their tremendous work in the immediate aftermath of the storms, often in difficult and dangerous conditions. I also wish to pay tribute to the people in the communities affected for their remarkable spirit and resilience during these events.
The storms impacted on both private property and public infrastructure. I have visited many of the areas affected and have seen at first hand both the damage but also the commendable way in which local people have supported each other. Various Government Departments and Agencies are involved in responding to the situation and liaising with the Local Authorities to address the damage that was done. The Office of Public Works, which falls within my area of responsibility, will play an important part in this response arising from its central role in managing flood risk from both rivers and the sea.
The OPW has already written to the Local Authorities indicating that it will consider applications for funding to assist with the cost of repairs to damaged coastal flood protection structures under the Minor Flood Works and Coastal Protection Scheme. I am committed to ensuring that applications that are submitted will be processed quickly by my Office to enable Local Authorities to begin repairing the damaged infrastructure as soon as possible. With initial estimates to repair coastal protection structures and flood defences around the country totalling €35 million, the scale of the task ahead should not be underestimated, and local authorities have been asked to rank their applications for funding in order of priority. This is important in enabling the OPW to respond to the most pressing requirements as quickly as possible. No doubt the representatives from Cork City Council and Cork County Council who will be addressing the conference later today will touch on the position regarding the damage in Cork.
In addition to providing funding for small scale works under the Minor Flood Works and Coastal Protection Scheme, the OPW is continuing to progress its Capital Flood Relief Schemes Programme which deals with situations where a more substantial flood solution is required in order to effectively deal with a flood problem. In 2014, four ongoing major schemes will continue construction; it is anticipated that six schemes, including Bandon and Skibbereen, will commence construction, and a further 20 schemes will be progressed towards design and planning, with a view to their implementation over the next few years. These include the Lower Lee scheme, including Blackpool, for which, I am pleased to confirm today that the Preferred Option will be brought before the public on 29 July 2014. As you may know, I had a very productive meeting last night with Lord Mayor Catherine Clancy, City Manager Tim Lucey, local representatives and local business groups to discuss this project. We reiterated our joint commitment, as national and local government agencies to Cork and to this project - it will happen and will happen as soon as possible. We also intend to undertake advance works where possible - for example in Blackpool. A Public Exhibition of the preferred option will commence before the end of 2014. It also includes projects at Clonakilty and Baile Mhic Ire for which proposals will be brought forward by the OPW before the end of the year. Projects in the county that are being progressed by Cork County Council with funding from the OPW are Douglas, Glanmire and Crookstown, for which it is expected that proposals will also be brought forward for public consultation during this year.
It is understandable that at times there can be frustration locally at the length of time it takes to implement these large-scale schemes. However, in order to arrive at the solution that is the most appropriate and cost-effective in a particular location it is necessary to undertake detailed technical analysis and design of potential mitigation measures, and to endeavour to secure broad agreement or “buy-in” to the preferred option from local people and other stakeholders, whose views and aspirations may not always be entirely compatible. It is also necessary to comply with the provisions of environmental and procurement legislation, which can often be onerous and involve specific minimum time-lines. The OPW aims at all times to progress its flood relief schemes as quickly as possible within these constraints and the resources available to the Office. While the process of implementing a capital scheme is in progress, it is open to the relevant local authority to submit an application for funding under the Minor Flood Works and Coastal Protection Scheme for small scale interim measures where such measures are technically and economically justifiable.
It is important to recognise that flooding and coastal erosion are natural phenomena that cannot be entirely prevented but can to a significant extent be managed. It is generally accepted both here and in other countries that we need to move to a more sustainable, planned and multi-dimensional and risk-based approach to dealing with these problems. This must address existing risk but also ensure that we avoid creating further risk through inappropriate development. We are adopting a strategic approach that will allow for comprehensive assessment of the risks and consideration of the best possible options, both structural and non-structural, for dealing with those risks on a long term basis. The central element of this approach is the ongoing programme of Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) studies that have been commissioned by the OPW. John Martin of OPW will be here later to tell you more about the CFRAM Programme and other flood risk management activities that the Office is involved in.
Despite the current restrictive economic conditions, it is essential that we continue to build on the progress that has been made to date to reduce the risk of flooding nationally. More than €370 million has been spent by the OPW since 1995 on flood risk management, and this has reduced flood risk to 10,500 properties with an estimated benefit in terms of loss and damage avoided over more than €1 billion. A further €45m has been allocated to OPW for this year. The Government and I are committed to maintaining this level of investment over coming years, as provided for in the Infrastructure and Capital Investment Framework 2012 – 2016.
It is only right that this very substantial investment by the State is given appropriate weight by the insurance industry in relation to providing flood cover. At my direction, the OPW has been engaged with Insurance Ireland to agree a mechanism for the transfer to the industry of information on completed OPW flood defence schemes on an ongoing basis. A Memorandum of Understanding has been drawn-up and insurance companies will commit to take the information provided by the OPW fully into account when assessing flood risk in the areas protected. This should help to ensure flood cover for households and businesses in those locations.
Furthermore, the level of information available to the insurance industry, to planners and indeed to the public on flood risk throughout the country will be greatly enhanced when the flood maps that will be produced by OPW's CFRAM Programme become available.
In conclusion, it only remains for me to wish you an informative and stimulating day.