merrion street

Kevin 'Boxer' Moran, Minister of State for the Office of Public Works (OPW) and Flood Relief, was in Louth today where he met with elected members and officials from Louth County Council to put in place arrangements for the advancement of flood relief schemes in County Louth.

The Minister said,

I am delighted to be here in Louth today and to meet with the elected members and officials of Louth County Council. County Louth has five schemes, which have been prioritised in the first tranche of schemes to be progressed. We are meeting today to examine how to deliver on the flood risk management plans for the county and have agreed mechanisms for the progression of flood relief schemes for Dundalk/Blackrock South; Carlingford/Greenore; Drogheda; Baltray and Ardee. These schemes involve an investment of over €83 million and once completed will provide flood protection to over 2,300 properties in Louth. Louth County Council will be leading on the implementation of these five projects in collaboration with my Office.

The elected members of Louth County Council adopted the Flood Risk Management Plans published by the OPW in May 2018 for coastal areas and major watercourses in Louth in July 2018. In adopting the plans, the Members have sought further consultation and agreement with affected communities, public and other groups and organisations. The Minister went on to say,

The measures set out in the flood risk management plans are not definitive and final; more detailed assessments are required at a local level and further public and stakeholder consultation will be undertaken. As such, there is further scope for the community's views to influence the measures that are progressed to implementation.

The Minister concluded,

The Government is providing investment of €1 billion on flood relief over the next decade under Project Ireland 2040, our national development plan and it is committed to ensuring that the planning and delivery of flood relief solutions is achieved in the shortest possible timeframe. Significant progress has been made today in the advancement of flood relief schemes for Louth. In partnership with Louth County Council, I look forward to the delivery of these schemes for the community in the County of Louth.