Mcgrath And O'Farrell Oppose New Clontarf Flood Proposals

Deputy Finian McGrath (Ind) and Councillor Damian O’Farrell (Ind) have come out strongly against Dublin City Council’s (DCC) so-called flood barrier in Clontarf.  “This proposal is environmental vandalism and will irretrievably damage our local environment and our local economy,” said Finian. Deputy McGrath has pushed this issue in the Dail including challenging the Taoiseach at ‘Leaders Question Time’.

Councillor Damian O’Farrell who organised the massive Public Protest Rally on Clontarf Promenade has lead the opposition in City Hall and is fully supportive of Clontarf Residents Association (CRA) & Clontarf Business Association (CBA) in their joint opposition to this proposed travesty. All public representatives in the area should be aware of the overwhelming public mandate given at ‘Wooden Bridge’.

Unfortunately DCC in order to enable the project to go ahead has resorted to scaremongering tactics to frighten residents. Finian and Damian have challenged the major political parties in power in Government and City Hall to ring-fence money in order that with proper public consultation an effective flood defence can be built which doesn’t destroy our amenity. “The Royal Haskoning Report was commissioned by DCC and there are 3 options within that report that are preferable to the option chosen,” said Damian. DCC did not consult with the public in designing this plan.  We only found out about the original height on the 20th September and the revised height on 4th November, yet we are expected to make a decision in a ‘few weeks’.

At the information meetings below we implore the public to ask DCC about their ‘Adaptive Management Approach’ to this project. To our minds this involves DCC putting down foundations/building blocks in order that the mounds can be increased in height in the future if necessary. Therefore some time in the future if DCC follow this “Adaptive Management Approach” we will end up with the even higher mounds we are so against!! We are so disappointed that ‘blocking out’ the sea is still in the mindset of the engineers behind this project.  Furthermore none of the security concerns have been addressed.

We are working closely with Clontarf Residents Association and can assure you that we are all fully committed to securing a fit for purpose Flood Defence’s for Clontarf Road while also protecting our environmental jewel.  We haven’t taken our position against these proposals lightly and have studied all the facts. We will continue the ‘Independent’ tradition of protecting Dublin Bay as a national and local amenity.

Please get informed by attending one of the remaining sessions below.  Also, please make sure you watch the Residents Association ‘drive bys’ which were provided by DCC.

To help save our amenity: If you have access to The Web & Email please access www.clontarf.ie for more information on what to do.  Alternatively write to the City Manager, Dublin City Council, Civic Offices, Wood Quay Dublin 8 telling him what you think before Monday 28th November.

Vigil 4.30pm Sun 27 Nov, Alfie Byrne Road organised by CRA /CBA