COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, November 08, 2010

QUESTION NO.2

QUESTION: Councillor S. Crowe

To ask the Manager who is responsible for the maintenance of the banks of River Liffey in the South Dublin County Council Area?  Many sections of the banks are overgrown and I would have concerns in relation to flooding during the winter.

REPLY:

The landowners ie the riparian owners, are responsible for the maintenance of the banks of River Liffey in the South Dublin County Council area except where it flows through or along land or parks that are in public ownership. The Council does have a legislative role in ensuring pollution does not occur and a maintenance role in ensuring blockages are dealt with so flooding does not occur. Under normal circumstances, the Council does not tamper with the natural ecology of the riverbank and dead or fallen trees that do not present a risk of blockage downstream are not removed. The Drainage Section of the Environmental Services Department has a programme of regular screen cleaning on rivers and streams which is increased when bad weather is forecast. The Drainage Section will attend to a stream in an emergency capacity where it is felt that a significant blockage may occur downstream.