Flooding at Parteen Co. Limerick
With the recent nation wide flooding disasters we witnessed from our television screens and from the national media the effects of the flooding at the close of 2009.
We saw Shannon Banks, Montpellier and Castle Connell badly flooded with homes being evacuated.
Various rural areas throughout the County were also affected by the flooding. Single homes in various areas have been greatly affected in low lying areas.
We saw towns and cities, Cork, Dublin, Gort, Ballinaslow and Ennis all affected.
A National policy should be put in place were by that every local authority would be informed of a Flood Plain.
Flood plans should be categorised, indicating the risk levels of areas.
Hydrometric Stations are situated in all County Limerick rivers recording historical events of the river and floods.
Residential and commercial developments need to take into consideration the potential for flooding.
In November 2009 following the guidelines published by Minister Gormley and Dr Martin Mansergh a responsibility was put on local authorities and also on the elected members of County Councils to implement these guidelines.
The guidelines clearly indicate that they take precedence over any previous directives associated with flooding.
Guideline Objectives
o Avoid inappropriate development in areas at risk of flooding;
o Avoid new developments increasing flood risk elsewhere, including that which may arise from surface water run-off;
o Ensure effective management of residual risks for development permitted in floodplains;
o Avoid unnecessary restriction of national, regional or local economic and social growth;
o Improve the understanding of flood risk among relevant stakeholders;
o Ensure that the requirements of EU and national law in relation to the natural environment and nature conservation are complied with at all stages of flood risk management.
I will call on the Minister for the Environment Heritage and Local Government that areas listed and designated as flood risk areas by the office of Public Works be part of the national policy to any planning applications that may be sought for residential or commercial purposes. Also that a Flood Risk assessment be carried out when planning is applied for in a flood risk area.
Also that all local authorities would be better informed of areas that are designated as flood plains and would treat flood risk with greater awareness in the planning process.