Written answer
Office of Public Works
The OPW has no statutory responsibility or authority to undertake works on the River Aughrim; Wicklow County Council or riparian owners should address the matter.
39. Deputy Brian Brennan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if further to the flooding during storm Chandra works are to be carried out by the OPW to a location (details supplied). [67376/26]
Comment on this
The River Aughrim does not form part of any Arterial Drainage Scheme that would fall under the remit of the Office of Public Works (OPW) under the Arterial Drainage Act, 1945, as amended. Consequently, the OPW does not have a statutory responsibility for the maintenance of the channel. Furthermore, the OPW does not have any authority to carry out works there.
While I have brought your correspondence to the attention of Wicklow County Council, it remains open to you to take up the matter with the Local Authority directly.
It is important to note that the responsibility for the condition of the channel and the riverbank may rest with the riparian owner. Landowners should contact Inland Fisheries Ireland and the National Parks and Wildlife Service to identify any licences and permissions that may be required, prior to carrying out any works.