Vol. 515 No. 5
25 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands the steps, if any, taken by Dúchas to ensure that any measures it takes to maintain water levels for the purpose of navigation on the Shannon River do not contribute to the flooding problems; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6307/00]
As I indicated in my replies to previous parliamentary questions in relation to flooding problems on the River Shannon, Dúchas, the heritage service of my Department, is responsible for navigation only on the river and one of its principal duties is to ensure there is adequate water depth for the navigation of boats on the system.
Water levels in the three main lakes on the river, viz. Lough Allen, Lough Ree and Lough Derg are controlled by the ESB while water levels-depths in the river between these lakes are controlled by Dúchas for navigation purposes by means of a series of weirs with sluices. These weirs are so constructed as to retain water at a level adequate for navigation and Dúchas is satisfied that this level does not give rise to flooding. When the water level rises in the river above that necessary for navigation purposes, the sluices are opened and any weir-boards removed so as to aid the flow of water. Every effort is made to keep these sluices free of debris. The weirs are overtopped in times of flood and, when water is flowing freely over the tops of the weirs and all the sluices are open, Dúchas is not in a position to exercise further control on water levels.
26 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands the expenditure programme and works to be completed on the canal system under her jurisdiction in 2000; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6422/00]
The expenditure programme and work to be completed on the canal system in 2000 is as follows: capital expenditure £2.88 million: Royal canal – £1,270,000
Works to be undertaken include the design and replacement of existing culverts; reconstruction of Cloonbreany Bog, County. Longford; the design of additional water supplies; commissioning of Newcomen Lifting Bridge, Dublin; barge restoration; installation of jetties, moorings and associated landscaping, including the joint Dublin Corporation-Dúchas Waterways environmental project.
