OPW: Office of Public Works
Oifig na nOibreacha Poiblí
Consultation at Public Exhibition Stage of a Flood Relief Scheme
A property survey needs to be organised in order to identify all landowners who will be affected by the scheme works as under the Arterial Drainage Legislation. Each affected landowner must receive an Interference Notice advising them of the dates the documents will be available for inspection on Public Exhibition and also advising them of all proposed interferences to their property.
Large maps of each scheme and other legal documents are produced by OPW showing proposed works along the river, e.g.
- Widening,
- Deepening,
- Walls,
- Embankments,
- Bridge-works,
- Road works,
- Cross and long sections,
- Benefiting lands
A schedule showing works to be carried out broken down by landowner is also produced and the EIS is also exhibited. These documents are usually displayed at two venues in the relevant area for a period of 3 - 4 weeks (although the Arterial Drainage (Amendment) Act, 1995, makes provision for only two weeks).
Engineers are available to talk to people on selected days over the course of the Public Exhibition (including 2 to 3 evenings in order to accommodate those who would not be in a position to attend during the day). Dates of the Public Exhibition, when engineers will be in attendance etc. are advertised in local newspapers and on local radio and notification of the Public Exhibition is also published in the Iris Oifiguil.
Affected parties have one month to submit any observations they might have on the proposed scheme works.
All documents are also referred to certain Government Departments and State Bodies for their observations. All observations received are considered and dealt with prior to submitting the proposed flood relief scheme to the Minister for Finance for Confirmation. Observations received during the course of the exhibition can lead to minor amendments being made to the scheme before submitting it for Confirmation.