Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 October 2020
114. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if a single authority to manage the River Shannon will be appointed to address issues including water level and maintenance of channels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29952/20]
View answerThe Shannon Flood Risk State Co-ordination Working Group was established by Government Decision in 2016. The Group was established, at that time, following severe flooding arising from exceptional weather conditions from December, 2015 to January, 2016.
The Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme and the Flood Risk Management Plans (FRMPs) have informed the work of the Group which was established to support the existing plans in place and planned to address flooding and to enhance the ongoing co-operation of all state agencies involved with the River Shannon.
On its establishment, a priority for the Group was to develop a Work Programme that was informed through public consultation days. The Programme together with local knowledge demonstrated the extensive range of activities and co-ordination by all State Agencies already underway to jointly and proactively address flood risk along the Shannon. The Group’s Annual Work Programmes are available at www.opw.ie
The Group has taken a number of significant decisions since its establishment including:
- Targeted maintenance at various locations along the River Shannon.
- A study to examine the benefits of removing constrictions resulting in lower summer water levels through the Shannon Callows, to help address the summer flooding in this area while maintaining the appropriate navigation requirements.
- A study to examine the cause, degree and rate of restriction downstream in the Lower Shannon.
- Trial on lowering of lake levels in Lough Allen to help alleviate any significant flooding event that may occur.
- Preliminary assessment of the potential for strategic maintenance on the River Shannon.
The ESB is responsible for managing the water levels on Lough Allen, Lough Ree and Lough Derg. The levels in between the lakes are managed by Waterways Ireland for navigation purposes. Both organisations are members of the Group and communicate on a daily basis to ensure a co-ordinated approach to managing water levels.
In 2016, the Group took a decision to trial the lowering of the lake levels on Lough Allen during the Winter period to help mitigate potential flood risk. A protocol was agreed between ESB, Waterways Ireland and the OPW to lower the late Autumn and Winter minimum lake levels in Lough Allen by approximately 0.7 metre subject to favourable weather conditions. The Group has agreed to continue the trial on a temporary basis pending the completion of a flood relief scheme for Carrick on Shannon.
In October 2019, the Group agreed that the Government be advised that €7m was to be provided for a strategic programme of maintenance and the removal of constrictions or ‘pinch points’ on the bed of the River Shannon at the Callows Region between Athlone and Meelick Weir. Progression of these works will be subject to the full environmental assessments required and planning consent to proceed. The decision to undertake these projects was noted by the Government in December 2019. Waterways Ireland has advised that it has commenced work on advancing the various interventions for these works with implementation expected to commence in 2021.
