by Alan Jacques
LIMERICK City and County Council has applied under Part 8 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 for permission to construct a tidal flood alleviation scheme for the town of Foynes to protect against tidal ingress.
The proposed works will consist of construction of a defence wall extending from the slipway on the western quay across the west gates to Foynes Port, along the boundary of Shannon Foynes Port Company and Irish Rail lands. There is also a section of tidal defence barrier which will run along the west end of the west pier from the port entrance to the end of the pier.
Independent councillor Emmett O’Brien commented, “We were told that Planning would be applied for prior to the end of the year. I say this without criticism as I understand the complexity of the project but I am concerned that the construction may not now commenced until later this year if not next year bearing in mind that Foynes was originally scheduled to be completed at the end of 2015.”
Cllr O’Brien said he would lobby the Minister responsible for the OPW to ensure that adequate funding was provided to construct the new flood defence.
