Vol. 531 No. 3
342 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands if Waterways Ireland and the ESB have commenced a joint study on the management of water levels on the River Shannon; the body or organisation which is carrying out the study; when it is planned to be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5543/01]
Waterways Ireland, a North-South Implementation Body for inland waterways, was established on 2 December 1999 on foot of the British-Irish Agreement and the supplementary Implementation Bodies Agreement signed in March 1999. Accordingly the matter raised by him is now one to be dealt with by Waterways Ireland and not by me as Minister.
However, Waterways Ireland advises me that a study has jointly been commissioned with ESB. The terms of reference are: to examine the management of water levels on the Shannon, by both Waterways Ireland and ESB, for navigation and electricity generation purposes and assess the impact, if any, of this operational regime on flood levels.
This study is being undertaken by consultants Kirk, McClure and Morton and it is expected that the final report will be presented to Waterways Ireland and ESB around mid-April.
