Committee of Public Accounts to examine flood risk management with the OPW and Met Éireann

The Committee of Public Accounts will meet on Thursday, 19 March 2026 from 9.30am in Committee Room 3, LH2000.

From 10.30am, the Committee will examine the Comptroller and Auditor General's 2023 report on Adapting Flood Risk Management to Climate Change.

The Committee will engage with the Chairperson and officials from the Office of Public Workers (OPW) and officials from the Met Éireann, who are a unit within the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

The OPW is Ireland's lead agency for flood risk management and is responsible for areas including flood risk policy and co-ordination, flood relief schemes, mitigation works, coastal protection, environmental management, climate adaptation, and flood mapping. Met Éireann is the State's national meteorological service, providing weather forecasting and related services.

Speaking ahead of the meeting, Committee Cathaoirleach Deputy John Brady, said: "The increasing frequency and severity of extreme weather events, as seen with Storm Chandra earlier this year, underline the urgent need for a robust and coordinated approach to flood risk management. This engagement provides an important opportunity for the Committee to scrutinise how public bodies are planning for and responding to climate-related risks."

"We will be examining concerns identified by the Comptroller and Auditor General, including delays in developing a national flood forecasting and warning service, the underutilisation of available funding, and the need for a more joined-up approach across agencies. It is essential that the State is making full and effective use of resources to protect communities from flooding."

Watch the meeting live here or on the Oireachtas smartphone app for Apple and Android.