Flood Map Revelations

Northern Ireland's newly released Flood Maps became the focus for George Savage MLA at a recent Agriculture Committee Meeting when he challenged River's Agency Officials on their new Strategic Flood Maps.

Speaking from Stormont on the issue, George outlined his concerns:

"In response to a Priority Written Question, the Minister of Agriculture has provided information outlining that £331,500 has been spent on the very creation of these flood maps.

The issue is that when one logs on to the internet to view them you are required to click and agree the 'Terms and Conditions' as set down by Rivers Agency. When you read the Terms and Conditions', you read the following in the first paragraph

"There is no guarantee that the information contained within the Strategic Flood Map (NI) is accurate, complete or up to date."

This is an absolute outrage. The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development have invested £331,500 of taxpayers money to create these flood maps yet they cannot guarantee the accuracy of them or decide whether or not they are complete. Furthermore, they were unveiled just over two weeks ago, yet they claim they are not up to date - something seems amiss here.

I call upon the Department to outline their position on this matter and clarify the effectiveness, accuracy and whether these maps are just a simple draft version. Legalistic answers and perspectives are not what is needed here, straight answers which provide insight would be of benefit, with preference given to those answers being up to date."