Laois flood prevention measures discussed at ‘productive’ meeting with Minister Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran
Minister for OPW Kevin 'Boxer' Moran with officials and elected representatives of Laois Co Council, after the meeting
Laois County Council welcomed Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works (OPW) Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran TD to Áras an Chontae recently for a productive meeting discussing flood prevention measures in Laois.
Minister Moran was accompanied by Jim Casey, Director of Flood Risk Management Capital Programme Delivery and Operations, as well as Victor Fairbrother, OPW Project Co-Ordinator.
Laois County Council was represented by Cathaoirleach Cllr Barry Walsh, Chief Executive Michael Rainey, Director of Services Simon Walton, Senior Engineer Adrian Barrett and Executive Engineer (OPW Flood Relief) Gerard Shiel.
At the meeting, Simon Walton delivered a presentation on the progress for Laois County Council’s Flood Relief Schemes:
• The planning and CPO applications for the Mountmellick Flood Relief Scheme, which will protect 165 properties, has been submitted to An Coimisiún Pleanála.
• The planning and CPO applications for the Clonaslee Flood Relief Scheme, which will protect 69 properties, have been approved by An Coimisiún Pleanála. Laois County Council is now progressing the next stage of the project which includes detailed design, works tender and appointment of a contractor to undertake the works.
• The planning and CPO applications for the Portarlington Flood Relief Scheme, which will protect 72 properties, will likely be submitted to An Coimisiún Pleanála by the end of 2026.
• OPW Scheme Viability Reports are underway for Portlaoise, Mountrath and Rathdowney.
Speaking on the importance of this meeting, Simon Walton said: “We are grateful for Minister Moran’s visit to Laois. The progression of Laois County Council’s Flood Relief Strategy is a key objective for the Local Authority and we are committed to bringing all of our Flood Relief Schemes to completion as soon as possible. We are looking forward to working closely with the Minister and the OPW to ensure Laois residents are protected from future severe weather events. We also welcome the opportunities to avail of OPW Funding to support our annual river drainage maintenance programme” TDs and Councillors had an opportunity to pose questions and comments to the Minister in relation to flood relief protection in Laois. All Elected Representatives urged that measures be developed to support earlier delivery of the various Flood Relief Projects in County Laois.
Elected Representatives were also present on the day, including Deputies Willie Aird TD, Sean Fleming TD and Brian Stanley TD, as well as Cllrs Conor Bergin, Paddy Bracken, Paddy Buggy, Caroline Dwane Stanley, John Joe Fennelly, Catherine Fitzgerald, Padraig Fleming and Tommy Mulligan.
