Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 4 October 2023
101. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the current status of the drafting of the River Shannon management body Bill within his Department; the timeline for presenting the general scheme to Government for approval; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43062/23]
View answer104. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform when the River Shannon flood risk management committee held its meetings in 2023; the agenda for each meeting and the decisions taken; the specific emergency actions which were taken by the committee in July 2023 to address the serious summer flooding in the Shannon callows resulting in the substantial loss of both summer and winter fodder; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43071/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 101 and 104 together.
In 2016, the Government established the Shannon Flood Risk State Agency Coordination Working Group to improve coordination between all state agencies involved with the River Shannon and to introduce coordinated flood risk solutions. The Group coordinates the work of all the members to maximise flood risk mitigation.
The Group met on 26 April 2023 and the next meeting of the group is scheduled for 11 October 2023. Minutes of the Groups meetings and agendas are published at:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/4d487d-shannon-flood-risk-state-agency-co-ordination-working-group/
The OPW in partnership with Local Authorities is progressing a programme of flood relief schemes to address flood risk on the River Shannon. There are currently 13 completed schemes in the Shannon River Basin District and these schemes are already providing protection to over 2,600 properties. A further 36 flood relief schemes will be delivered in the Shannon catchment as part of the Government’s €1.3bn investment in flood relief measures over the lifetime of the National Development Plan to 2030. 24 of these schemes are currently being progressed including Athlone and Springfield which are currently at construction stage. When completed, the schemes will protect 95% of properties identified as being at significant risk from flooding in the Shannon River Basin District.Outside of the major flood relief schemes, local flooding issues are being addressed by local authorities with support from the OPW under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme. This scheme provides funding for minor flood mitigation works or studies, costing less than €750,000 each, to address localised flooding and coastal protection problems. To date, the OPW has approved funding of €35m for over 600 projects for the Shannon River Basin District.To add to the overall flood protection from flood relief schemes, the Shannon Flood Risk State Agency Coordination Working Group produces an annual Work Programme that demonstrates the extensive work and co-ordination by all State bodies to jointly and proactively help address flood risk on the Shannon under the following themes of activity: physical works, maintenance, water management, regulatory, policy and planning. The group is currently progressing a number of collaborative initiatives including a strategic maintenance programme.
Summer flooding in the Shannon Callows region is a real concern when there is heavy summer rainfall. There was heavy rainfall throughout the catchment in July. This has resulted in increasing water levels in the River Shannon and its tributaries. As outlined by Met Éireann, July was provisionally the wettest on record.
Water levels on the Shannon River are managed by, and in accordance with agreed protocols between, Waterways Ireland and the ESB. There is a coordinated approach between those two bodies and water levels on the Shannon are monitored on a daily basis, along with weather forecasts. This informs decisions around sluice gate opening and closing procedures and the operation of weirs, within the agreed protocols.
Recent flooding was caused by very heavy rainfall and relevant measures to control the levels of water were undertaken. These measures influence the levels on the Shannon but due to the shallow gradient of the river and the many natural restrictions along its course, the levels cannot be fully controlled. This is particularly the case when the Shannon is in flood.
Possible approaches to mitigating summer flooding in the Shannon Callows are being developed by the Shannon Flood Risk State Agency Co-ordination Working Group. However, the Shannon Callows includes two sites designated under European Environmental legislation, the River Shannon Callows SAC and the Middle Shannon Callows SPA. Any proposed solution will be subject to the relevant assessments and consents.
Local Authorities are designated as the lead agency for response to flooding in the Framework for Major Emergency Management. At a national level, the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government is designated as the Lead Government Department with responsibility for severe weather events including flooding under the Strategic Emergency Management Framework.
The preparation of legislation to improve the management of flood risk on the River Shannon is a Government priority. The management of flood risk on the river is closely intertwined with other uses of the river such as for navigation, dam safety and electricity generation. The OPW has conducted an analysis of existing legislation regarding the management of the River Shannon, including a review of the powers of various bodies involved with the river. This work is a priority for OPW.
