merrion street

Brian Hayes TD, Minister of State with special responsibility for the Office of Public Works (OPW), was in Ennis, Co. Clare today for the contract signing of Phase II of the Ennis Flood Relief Scheme.

Speaking in the offices of Ennis Town Council this morning, Minister Hayes said: "Ennis has a long history of flooding and I am very pleased to be able to formally award the contract for Phase II of this scheme here today to Wills Bros Ltd. When completed, the scheme will provide one hundred year flood event protection to over 849 homes and 425 non-residential properties and will provide a solution to the ongoing flooding concerns for the people of Ennis." "The first Phase of the works have been completed since May 2010 and has provided full protection to those areas" the Minister added " and I have no doubt that these works will substantially alleviate the concerns of everyone here in Ennis today".

"The works being undertaken by the contractor, which will cost approximately €7 million to construct over 18 months, primarily comprises new walls and embankments, water sewers, together with fish pass improvements in addition to 3 new surface water pumping stations," the Minister said.

The Minister concluded: "This major capital investment commitment, during a period of cutbacks in other capital programmes demonstrates yet again the commitment of this Government and of the OPW to a sustained programme to improve the level of flood risk protection for homes, businesses and infrastructure as we all recognise the serious personal and economic impact of flooding."