Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 14 February 2018
110. Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of planned dredging works on the Shannon river; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7705/18]
View answerIn December 2016, the Shannon Flood Risk State Agency Co-ordination Working Group took a major decision to develop a plan for strategic maintenance works on the River Shannon to complement the Group’s existing Work Programme.
A sub-committee of the Group was established to examine all of the necessary legal, environmental, technical and other considerations. The sub-committee identified a small number of areas where targeted maintenance would increase the conveyance capacity of the river.
During 2017, targeted maintenance works were carried out at Madden’s Island, downstream of Banagher, to improve the conveyance capacity and navigation of the Shannon. Further works were due to be carried out this month however this has not been possible due to the high water level on the channel. This work will be carried out later this year during the next cutting season.
Following the receipt of consent in September 2017 from the National Parks and Wildlife Service of the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, targeted works have been planned for a number of other locations for the appropriate seasonal windows. To date, work has been carried out at Muckinish and Shannon Grove (Kilnaborris), in accordance with the consent provided. Further work at these and other locations for which consent applies will be planned in terms of the seasonal restrictions that may apply to the types of activity required at each site.
