asked the Minister for Transport and Power who requested the ESB to hold the Shannon level at Athlone at a level below 123 feet D; and the date of such request.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Shannon Level at Athlone.
12.
I am informed by the Electricity Supply Board that no specific request was made to the board to hold the level of the Shannon at Athlone below 123 feet OD. This year the level of Lough Ree was lowered earlier than usual so that the dredging which is being done between Lanesboro and Tarmonbarry could be carried out efficiently and expeditiously, but at no stage has the level of Lough Ree been less than 14 inches above the statutory minimum level of 121 feet OD. The Deputy will appreciate that the purpose of the dredging is to improve navigation on the Shannon.
Is the Minister aware that by reason of the ESB's action in lowering the level, the CIE boat has not been able to operate from Athlone and that large cruisers have had to face Lough Ree with some danger? The Minister gave me to understand here that the reason why the ESB maintained the low level this year was to facilitate dredging. If they were not asked to do that, why did they maintain such a low level?
The ESB do not have to be asked. The Office of Public Works do the dredging at the behest of the ESB, and the dredging has been undertaken following a meeting which I organised in September, 1969, in Athlone, where all the cruiser interests were present and where it was agreed that the carrying out of this dredging on the length of the Shannon between Lanesboro and Tarmonbarry would make the navigation effective. This dredging is now being done and the navigation will be effective in future years by reason of the representations made by me and the decisions reached arising out of that meeting.
Might I put it to the Minister that the dredging can go ahead quite effectively with the level at Athlone weir at 123 feet OD, that there is no need to have it below that level for dredging purposes and that this is only spoof on the Minister's part?
The Deputy does not understand the position. Dredging can only be carried out effectively when the river is at a low level. The dredging is now being carried out in the area that was causing the trouble, and that will ensure continued effective navigation in the years ahead.
What I am saying to the Minister is that dredging can be effectively carried out with the level at 123 feet OD.