At an all-party delegation which included MEPs and TDs who met with Environment officials of the European Commission, it was confirmed that all decisions regarding flood risk management and action is taken at Member State level.

This was stated by Independent MEP Marian Harkin who attended the meeting today, Wednesday January 13th.

Marian Harkin said:- "the only exception to this is where there is significant damage to a priority habitat and, in such cases, the Member State must assess the project and inform the Commission of any compensatory measures. It was also made clear that in the last 20 years only one application to the European Commission, on the basis of works needed to be carried out because of overriding public interest, was refused. European Commission officials also indicated that member states use the over-riding public interest process on a regular basis and that Ireland only ever used it once.

"It is clear that for too long we have been sitting on our hands and done nothing using the excuse that Brussels wouldn't allow it. These myths have been well and truly blown apart today", Independent MEP Marian Harkin concluded.