OPW: Office of Public Works
Oifig na nOibreacha Poiblí
Minister Of State Dr. Martin Mansergh T.D. Acknowledges the Work of the Clonmel Emergency Response Team and Re-Affirms OPW’s Commitment to Flood Relief Scheme
24th February 2009
PRESS RELEASE
Dr. Martin Mansergh, T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Finance with responsibility for the Office of Public Works has once again acknowledged the professionalism of the operation and the entirely unselfish commitment of the Clonmel Emergency Response Team for their work and efforts during the recent emergency. He also recognised the valuable assistance provided by the Community Welfare Officer and her team, in dealing pro-actively and fully engaging in responding to the need for humanitarian assistance for householders in the aftermath of the flood.
The Minister said, “I was in Clonmel on Saturday, 30 January during the flooding and witnessed at first hand, the efforts and efficiency of the ‘Response Team’ and the staff on the ground in dealing with this emergency. I also met with the Community Welfare Officer and congratulate her on handling this sensitive issue, which in the past required a much longer time process to deal with offering help to those affected by flooding”.
The Minister continued, “I am pleased that I have been able to maintain a high level of funding for this programme despite the current economic difficulties, and I am advised by my officials that the works, which have been completed to date did not have any negative impact during the recent flood and that a small number of properties, which in all probability would have been flooded, were protected”.
The Minister concluded, “I am very anxious to have the full Flood Relief Scheme for Clonmel completed as quickly as possible, so that the regular flooding which the town has been experiencing in recent years will be eliminated. I understand that the OPW had originally intended to undertake the flood relief works on a phase-by-phase basis. This would mean that it could take up to five years before the town was fully protected. OPW decided to amalgamate phases 2 and 3, and it was envisaged that these works would commence early in 2010. I am happy to inform you now that OPW officials met with their Consultants last Monday, and, despite the fact that the programme for completion of the detailed design was already fairly tight, they have been able to identify potential for shortening this time-scale further and build the full scheme as exhibited in June 2005”.
Ends
* For further information contact George Moir, OPW Press Officer (01) 6476128.