Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 January 2021
251. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the environmental assessment has commenced; the expected completion date; and if planning permission has been sought in respect of the programme of strategic maintenance and the removal of the pinch points in the Shannon Callows developed by the Shannon working group with €7 million funding being provided by the Office of Public Works. [3646/21]
View answer253. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the frequency with which the Shannon working group will meet in 2021. [3648/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 251 and 253 together.
In December, 2019, the Government noted that the Shannon Flood Risk State Agency Co-ordination Working Group agreed to provide €7m from the OPW Vote to Waterways Ireland to implement a co-ordinated strategic programme of maintenance activities for the River Shannon and for the removal of a number of constrictions in the Callows region. These proposed works can delay flooding and also benefit navigation and agricultural lands.
Waterways Ireland are advancing a range of these measures and expect to commence work on these in 2021. Some of the more complex measures will be subject to the full environmental assessments required and planning consent to proceed. Under the auspices of the Shannon Flood Risk State Agency Co-ordination Working Group, Waterways Ireland and the OPW are working together on the preparation of the applications for the necessary consents and planning permissions.
The Working Group has met on 14 occasions to date and I have attended its last 2 meetings. The Working Group is due to meet again on 4 March 2021 during which it will discuss its meeting schedule for 2021. I have been meeting with local organisations and communities on the Shannon, including the IFA, ICMSA and local authorities along the Shannon. Over the next number of weeks, I will be meeting with the Environmental Pillar and other stakeholders involved with the Shannon.
