Vol. 515 No. 1
61 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Finance the role the Office of Public Works plays in regard to the management or monitoring of the Shannon River system; the steps, if any, he will take to ensure that homes and farms are not flooded again having regard to the enormous hardship and damage caused by flooding in recent months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5274/00]
The Office of Public Works does not have any function in relation to the management of the Shannon river system. They do, however, maintain a network of nine hydrometric river gauges on the Shannon river to measure river flows at various locations. The information thereby obtained is made available on request to interested public and private bodies.
The exceptionally heavy rainfall in the area during the month of December 1999, which was estimated at twice the normal average, was the main cause of the flooding of homes and lands in and along the Shannon basin. There are no proposals to undertake flood relief works for the alleviation of flooding events such as those which occurred along the Shannon in recent months. Indeed, there have been several reports over the years on this matter which have led to a general consensus in relation to the Shannon that capital works to relieve flooding are just not viable.
However, I am aware of the problems on the River Shannon and the Commissioners of Public Works would be happy to consider any proposals or suggestions which any of the local authorities, or other agencies involved, might have, and to offer any appropriate advice.
