Minister of State Tom Parlon yesterday launched the public exhibition of the River Suir drainage scheme in Clonmel town hall. If it went according to plan, work would begin in autumn 2006, he confirmed.
The exhibition displays the Co Tipperary scheme's three-phase plan and includes drawings that detail how it will attempt to solve the Suir's persistent flooding problem.
The scheme is expected to take five years to complete and cost approximately €45 million, according to the spokesman for the Office of Public Works.
"This drainage scheme is designed to protect the area from the worst floods it has experienced in the past 100 years," the OPW spokesman said.
Clonmel and the Suir's surrounding areas were probably the worst affected by last October's floods.
Mr Parlon said: "I was here last October during the devastating floods and I saw for myself the terrible impact floods can have on the lives and homes of all those affected."
Mr Moir said €250,000 had already been spent on the removal of blockages.