Vol. 528 No. 1
346 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands if her Department has carried out an assessment of the adverse impact which the installation and use of a hydro-electric generating station at Clondra, County Longford will have on the River Shannon; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29623/00]
As the Deputy is aware, Waterways Ireland, a North/South Implementation Body for inland waterways, established under the British-Irish Agreement, is now responsible for the management, maintenance, development and restoration of certain of Ireland's inland navigable waterways systems including the Shannon.
I am advised by Waterways Ireland that it is satisfied that the operation of the proposed hydro-electric scheme will have no adverse effect on navigation. The proposed development was assessed from a nature conservation perspective by the national parks and wildlife section of my Department. The proposed site is not in any special area of conservation, special protection area or natural heritage area nor would the proposed development have a significant negative impact on any such site. Likewise, it would not significantly impact on any protected plant or animal species.
