asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if it is contemplated in the transfer of the Shannon Control from the Board of Works to the Electricity Supply Board to maintain the navigation there as at present, and if any provision is being made for the removal or lowering of existing weirs on the Shannon with the view to reducing the flooding of lands adjoining.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Navigation on the Shannon.
An inquiry is proceeding into the conditions regulating navigation in the upper portion of the Shannon, in relation particularly to their effect on water storage for power purposes, but no conclusion has yet been reached. Changes may be recommended which would improve drainage conditions, but it must be appreciated that improvements on a large scale would not be possible without restrictions on the facilities for navigation above Athlone. In the meantime the sluices in the river have been, and are being, operated in such a manner as to diminish flooding considerably.