Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 November 2021
106. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the progress to date on the €7 million investment in the removal of the pinch points on the River Shannon which will address the scale of summer flooding in the Shannon Callows; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53578/21]
View answer111. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when the €7 million allocated in December 2019 to alleviate constrictions to the flow of water in the Shannon Callows between Athlone and Meelick will be drawn down; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54977/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 106 and 111 together.
The Government has noted the study by the Shannon Flood Risk State Agency Co-ordination Working Group that supports a programme of strategic maintenance to help mitigate flooding along the Shannon and a further study on the removal of a series of constrictions or ‘pinch points’ through the Shannon Callows that can help to delay flooding in the area. The Government has agreed that the OPW will provide €7m for all of these works, of which €4m relates to the removal of ‘pinch points’ through the Shannon Callows.
Work is advancing to progress the project for the removal of ‘pinch points’ in the Shannon Callows. A Steering Group is in place to oversee this project and it last met on 20 October, 2021. A scope of work has been drafted for the appointment of a consultant to identify and manage all of the activities that are necessary to progress through the planning process to enable the commencement of the works. This includes the identification and completion of all environmental requirements. The draft scope of work for these services has been circulated to the Shannon Group for approval to progress to tendering. Waterways Ireland, on behalf of the Shannon Group, has agreed to act as the Contracting Authority for this project. It is anticipated that the tendering process will commence in the coming weeks.
The works can only commence following completion of the appropriate environmental assessments and following receipt of planning permission. This is a time intensive process and there are a range of variables outside the control of the Shannon Group that may impact on the overall timescale for delivery of the project.
