Chambers Ireland Welcomes Flood Risk Management Plans

A 10-year €1 billion flood risk management plan from the Office of Public Works (OPW) has been welcomed by Chambers Ireland. The plan was unveiled by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and will involve 118 individual flood relief schemes throughout the country.

As well as this, a new website has been launched by Minister of State with special responsibility for the Office of Public Works and Flood Relief, Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran. The site will provide access to the plans and maps developed by the OPW and information on flood risk management in Ireland. Through the interactive Flood Plans Viewer on this website, users can view a summary of the flood risk management measures as set out in the Plans. The Flood Maps Viewer allows users to access flood mapping data for the areas assessed.

Speaking in response to the launch of the plans, Chambers Ireland Chief Executive, Ian Talbot said: “Several of our members have been particularly affected in recent times by the increasingly unpredictable weather patterns, which has resulted in considerable cost to local businesses in their region.While some progress has already been made in a number of towns, clarity around the time frame of implementation of the plans announced today is essential for members throughout our Network, particularly for the Chambers situated in the heavily flood-afflicted areas of Ireland. More detail is required to provide an assurance and relief to homeowners and local businesses nationwide.”