Nearly half of top engineers say bigger flooding budget needed
Release date: Tuesday, 9 February 2010
Some half of the top engineers think the €70 million allocated to date to improve national flood management is totally inadequate, according to research carried out by Ipsos MRBI on behalf of Engineers Ireland. The findings were released on Water Management Day, the latest day of Engineers Week 2010 which runs until Saturday, February 13.
Speaking during a visit to Ringsend Wastewater Treatment Works to highlight the importance of engineering to Ireland’s water quality, John Power said the growing flooding threat associated with more extreme weather events would not be going away and engineers had a key role to play. “Engineering expertise is critical across all aspects of water management, both in terms of how we maintain our drinking water quality but also how we tackle the growing threat of flooding due to climate change. It is very concerning that nearly half the engineers in our survey think that the €70 million allocated in the budget to improve national flood management is totally inadequate.”
“As I said at the Engineers Ireland flood prevention conference that was addressed by Minister Gormley several weeks ago, the first priority should be an immediate collaboration between the Government, Engineers Ireland and other relevant bodies to drive an action plan forward with short-term implementable measures. The OPW has already highlighted the flooding threat in the Lee catchment area. We need to move quickly and use the engineering expertise that is already in the country to tackle the threat and prevent the re-occurrence of the flooding catastrophes of last year.”
Engineers Week 2010 runs until Saturday, February 13 and is focused on promoting the benefits of a career in the area of engineering. There will be an energy workshop tomorrow for primary students at the Engineers Ireland offices on Clyde Road to mark Energy Innovation Day. It will be supported by Sustainable Energy Ireland and feature Openhydro, Wavebob, ESB, ServusNet as well as a visit from Eamon Ryan TD, Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources.
Volunteer Day on Thursday, February 11 will entail volunteer engineers all over Ireland, including Irish and Leinster rugby legend Malcolm O’Kelly, entering primary schools to inspire students about maths through the use of puzzles and worksheets. Engineering in Health Day on Friday, February 12 will examine the role engineers play in manufacturing life-saving medical devices in Galway with Mary Harney TD, Minister for Health & Children. Saturday, February 13, Family Fun Day, is the final day of the week and will feature an exhibition for kids at the Engineers Ireland offices on Clyde Road, Dublin 4.
The week features nearly 150 activities and events around Ireland. To find out more information about events taking place near you, log onto www.engineersweek.ie
On the 18th February, Engineers Ireland will be holding a conference on Wastewater Treatment Facilities Optimisation. For more information please visit here.