EU Support Essential For Irish Flood Prevention Efforts

Flood protection works need to progress to address ongoing effects of climate change and its effects on Ireland, Minister for the Environment, Community & Local Government, Alan Kelly, has said.

Minister Kelly has been in Brussels to brief the EU Environment Commissioner on the Irish Government's response to the recent flooding.

It is understood that Commissioner Vella expressed the Commission's support as regards to the Government's actions in addressing both the humanitarian aspects of the recent flooding events and taking the steps necessary to avoid recurrences into the future.

Both the Commissioner and Minister Kelly agreed to closely co-operate on sharing of information and good practice on application of EU Environmental legislation – including matters relating to alleviating flood risks where the Commission has legitimate interests from a water management, wildlife or environmental perspective.

Minister Kelly said: "Now that the floods have somewhat subsided, it is time to put in place the measures to make communities feel protected and its hugely important to have the Commissioner's support for our actions.

"It is quite likely that we will be seeking to use the public interest grounds to advance key projects in protecting our town's and hopefully this new process will allow for that.

"The meeting was a further opportunity to brief the Commission on our recent experiences and to get support for what needs to be done. It is not a case of EU laws not allowing us to do what we need, but where there are legitimate river basin issues as there are on the Shannon, early engagement with and support from the EU will make our flood response run much smoother."

(MH/JP)