Minister welcomes flood risk management workshop
20 October 2010
Minister welcomes flood risk management workshop
Agriculture Minister Michelle Gildernew MP, MLA has welcomed today’s cross border and UK workshop to progress the future of flood risk management in the north of Ireland.
The Floods Directive Technical Working Group was attended by organisations from the north and south of Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales who are responsible for delivering flood risk management as required by the European legislation known as the Floods Directive.
The forum was created to share best practice and ensure that a common approach is adopted when implementing the Directive.
The Minister said: “The Directive is aimed at managing flood risk in areas where the risk is most significant. My Department, through the Rivers Agency, is leading the delivery of this with the cooperation of other government departments, agencies and stakeholders that have a flood risk management role.
“While a natural occurrence, flooding is a serious issue which we are committed to addressing. The Floods Directive will allow us to identify those areas which are most at risk and develop plans to reduce the likelihood of flooding and the harm that it causes. I’m extremely encouraged by the significant progress being made.”
The next milestone of the Directive is to complete a preliminary flood risk assessment of the north by December 2011. Explaining the current state of play, David Porter, Rivers Agency Director of Development said:
“This assessment looks at historical flood events as well as the potential for future flooding. It then identifies those areas which have the most significant risk considering the impact on economic activity, cultural heritage, environmental considerations and human health factors.
“We’re now at an advanced stage of identifying the areas at significant risk and next year we will be communicating these findings with the public and moving forward with the next stages of the Directive.”
Notes to editors:
1. Rivers Agency is an Executive Agency of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. It is the statutory drainage and flood defence authority for Northern Ireland.
2. All media enquiries should be directed to the DARD Press Office on 02890524619. Out of office hours please contact the duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.
