€7m in place for flood-relief scheme

MINISTER of State with special responsibility for the OPW Brian Hayes has confirmed that €7 million has been ringfenced for phase two of the Ennis Flood Relief Scheme. On Friday, the minister visited Ennis where he inspected the first phase of the flood-protection works. He confirmed the e-tendering process has moved to the assessment phase, with hopes that the OPW will be in a position to award the contract and begin works before the end of the year.

Clare TD and chairman of the Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade Pat Breen commented, “This is very good news for the people and businesses of Ennis who were badly affected by flooding in town during the winter of 2009”.
“During his visit to Ennis on Friday last, the Minister of State with special responsibility for the OPW Brian Hayes confirmed the e-tendering process has moved to the assessment phase. The tender for a civil works contractor for the scheme was advertised on e-tenders and in the Official Journal of the EU. All tenders had to be returned by the May 8, 2012, last and I understand it was a competitive tendering process and that the OPW are now assessing these tenders and they hope to be in a position to award the contract and commence the works before the end of the year.
“I was particularly delighted to hear that €7m in funding is ringfenced for the project. In 2009, considerable hardship was endured by the people and businesses of Ennis as a result of flooding that winter. When these works are completed, the flood-prevention barrier will provide much needed relief for the residents and businesses involved,” Deputy Breen said.