Following concerns expressed by residents about reports of pipes being installed alongside or in the Tolka River in Dublin 15 to facilitate drainage works for Meath and Kildare, Deputy Joan Burton has been informed by the OPW that they are not aware of any plans to install widespread drainage pipes along the river.

Deputy Burton took this issue up with the Minister of State at the OPW, Deputy Tom Parlon following calls from local residents to protect the Tolka River in Dublin 15 as a fishing and amenity river.

In his response to Deputy Burton, (PQ reply no. 189) the Minister stated that:

“The Office of Public Works is not aware of any widespread drainage pipes being installed alongside the Tolka River in the Dublin 15 area. If the Deputy can be more specific I will be happy to clarify OPW’s position.

Most of the major works between Dunboyne, Co Meath to the East Wall area of Dublin City have been carried out except the required works in the Mulhuddart area, including the new wall and embankment which will be undertaken this year and the replacement of the bridge which will occur in 2008.

Works are also to be undertaken in the Huntstown area which will include the construction of an embankment and supplementary flood channel alongside and at a higher elevation than the riverbed. This proposed work, currently on public display, will not require any interference with the existing riverbed and has been endorsed by the Central and Eastern Regional Fisheries Board.

It is important to state that the works undertaken on the River Tolka so far will provide not only a greater level of flood protection to properties previously under threat, but will also have the effect of enhancing the river’s fishing status. Rehabilitation work has already been carried out on sections of the river with a fish pass soon to be completed at Finglas Weir which will help with the migration of fish upstream, thereby further enhancing the fishing amenities on the river.”