asked the Minister for Finance if he will indicate the agency that controls the sluice gates or weirs on the Shannon; whether some are controlled by the ESB and some by the Office of Public Works; and whether it is always possible to have immediate co-ordinated control exercised over those weirs to reduce flooding in the Clonown area, County Westmeath.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Shannon Sluice Gates and Weirs.
56.
Mr. Kenny
For navigation purposes and for electricity generating purposes, the flow of the river Shannon is controlled by weirs and sliuce barrages listed as follows:
|
Site |
Agency |
|
1. Parteen, County Clare |
ESB |
|
2. Meelick and Keelogue, County Offaly |
Commissioners of Public Works |
|
3. Athlone, County Westmeath |
ESB |
|
4. Tarmonbarry, County Roscommon |
Commissioners of Public Works |
|
5. Rooskey, County Leitrim |
Commissioners of Public Works |
|
6. Jamestown, County Leitrim |
Commissioners of Public Works |
|
7. Lough Allen, County Leitrim |
ESB |
The cause of flooding in the Clonown area of County Westmeath arises from the inadequacy of the river channel between Athlone and Meelick. In order to give maximum relief at flood periods the sluices at Athlone are always fully closed while the sluices at Meelick and Keelogue are fully opened. I am satisfied that there is adequate co-ordination in the exercise of the controls by the ESB and the Commissioners of Public Works.