Clare River (Claregalway) Flood Relief Scheme

Notice under the ARTERIAL DRAINAGE ACTS, 1945 and 1995, and STATUTORY INSTRUMENT No. 469 of 2012 EUROPEAN UNION (ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT) (ARTERIAL DRAINAGE) REGULATIONS 2012

Clare River (Claregalway) Flood Relief Scheme

The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Mr Brendan Howlin TD, in pursuance of the powers given to him by Section 7 of the Arterial Drainage Act 1945 and of all other powers enabling him in that behalf has confirmed the said scheme on 9 November 2015 subject to conditions.

The detail is set out in the letter of 20th October 2015 to Mr Simon Harris TD, Minister of State at the Office of Public Works. The conditions are set out in the appendix to this letter.

The Commissioners of Public Works confirmed (letter received on 27th October 2015) that the Commissioners will comply with the terms of the conditions set out in the appendix to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform’s letter.

The following documents are available:

• Order dated 9th November 2015

• Letter received 27th October 2015 from Commissioners of Public Works

• Letter dated 20th October 2015 from Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to Minister of State at the Office of Public Works

• Annex to Letter to Minister of State at the Office of Public Works

Further information relating to the Scheme, including the Environmental Impact Statement, is available on the OPW website. You can also read the Recommendations to DPER for Clare River (Claregalway) Flood Relief Scheme from JBA Consulting.

Information for the public on the procedures available to review the substantive and procedural legality of the decision

A person wishing to challenge the validity of the decision may do so by way of judicial review only. A Judicial Review is a review of the decision making process such as failure to follow fair procedures, failure to consider relevant factors and failure to comply with statutory requirements.

The validity of a decision taken by the Minister may only be questioned by making an application for judicial review under Order 84 of The Rules of the Superior Courts (S.I. No. 15 of 1986). Any application for judicial review must be made within 8 weeks of the decision of the Minister. The Courts do not adjudicate on the merits of the development from the perspectives of the proper planning and sustainable development of the area and/or effects on the environment.

The general provision is that in such cases each party shall bear its own costs.

General information on judicial review procedures is contained on the following website: citizensinformation.ie

Disclaimer: The above is intended for information purposes. It does not purport to be a legally binding interpretation of the relevant provisions and it would be advisable for persons contemplating legal action to seek legal advice.