Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 26 Jun 2002

Vol. 553 No. 6

Written Answers. - Flood Relief.

Willie Penrose

Question:

140 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Finance if he has received a report on issues relating to the management of the River Shannon, prepared by the Joint Committee on Public Enterprise and Transport's sub-committee on the River Shannon Authority; if so, if he will act on the recommendations therein and in particular the recommendation, which specified that a special reserve of about ?25 million should be provided specifically for special and emergency work in relation to the Shannon, and that such a reserve should be topped up to that amount at the start of each financial year; if he will give particular consideration to this recommendation, given that there will be substantial losses in the River Shannon catchment area in 2002 due to the land being covered from mid-May onwards which prevents normal farming activity taking place, particularly in the Athlone-Clonown area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14961/02]

Minister for Finance (Mr. McCreevy)

I am advised, by the Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland, that it has received a copy of the report on issues relating to the management of the River Shannon, prepared by the Joint Committee on Public Enterprise and Transport's sub- committee on the River Shannon Authority. The report was published in March 2002.

The principal recommendation in the final report is that responsibility for the co-ordination of management of the River Shannon catchment should be assigned to the Western Development Commission. The subcommittee also recommended that the western investment fund should be increased by approximately €25 million to provide a reserve for special and emergency work in relation to the Shannon. I have brought the report to the attention of the Department of Rural Community and Gaeltacht Affairs for consideration and any action it considers appropriate.

I am very conscious of the difficulties being caused by the exceptional level of rainfall for various interests, especially farmers, in the Shannon catchment and elsewhere, and I have visited the area and seen the effects of the flooding. I have met local groups and I have invited proposals from them which I will discuss immediately with the Commissioners of Public Works with a view to seeing what action may be possible to alleviate the problems.