A long-awaited flood defence scheme for Enniscorthy in Co Wexford has been hit by a new delay after a decision by the Government to turn down a proposal submitted by the Office of Public Works.
The move by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Michael McGrath, is based on an environmental assessment, which found that the scheme "would have considerable adverse impact on the environment," according to the department.
OPW officials will now have to come up with new options to address the environmental issues identified during the assessment process.
Enniscorthy has been flooded a number of times over the years and OPW proposals to prevent future flooding included widening and deepening of the River Slaney channel, relocating the main bridge in the town and building glass-panelled flood wall.
The €50 million scheme would cover a 3.5km stretch of the Slaney and also include a new pedestrian bridge which, along with a new road bridge south of the town, would replace the existing Seamus Rafter Bridge.
According to a spokesperson for the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, the OPW have been informed of the minister's decision to refuse the scheme.
The minister himself said the decision was not taken lightly.
"This Government is committed to developing policy responses to mitigate the effects of climate change and to protect the health and safety of residents and the local economy," Minister McGrath said.
"Very significant funds of €1.3bn have been set aside under the National Development Plan to achieve this aim.
"It is, however, incumbent upon me, as the authority charged with confirming these schemes, to ensure that the environmental impact is acceptable under law. Flood relief schemes are very complex with multi-layered considerations arising from primary legislation, regulations, EU Directives and increasing case law both domestically from the High Court and Supreme Court and internationally from the European Court of Justice in this area."
He said it was "in everyone's interests" that this decision is made now, so the OPW can proceed with assessing the options available to mitigate the environmental issues identified in the process.
The Office of Public Works said it is "disappointed" to learn of the minister's decision to refuse the proposed Enniscorthy Flood Relief Scheme.
"The proposed flood relief scheme is a critically required infrastructural investment in Enniscorthy town, which will serve to protect 159 homes and 167 businesses in the area from the ongoing risk of flooding – a risk that became apparent as recently as last Christmas," a spokesperson said.
The OPW reiterated its commitment to delivering an effective scheme for Enniscorthy and "much-needed protection" from extreme flood events and said it will take time to review the reports underpinning Minister McGrath's decision.
