Vol. 548 No. 5
350 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands the status of the study on the management of water levels on the River Shannon commissioned by Waterways Ireland and the ESB; when this study will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5298/02]
As the Deputy may be aware, 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. It has the functions of management, main tenance, development and restoration of certain inland navigable waterways systems throughout the island, principally for recreational purposes. I am informed by Waterways Ireland that the Study of the Current Management of the Water Levels of the River Shannon, jointly commissioned by Waterways Ireland and the ESB and carried out by independent consultants, Kirk McClure Morton, was finished in April 2001. Copies of the study were sent to my Department, the Department of the Taoiseach and the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Public Enterprise and Transport. While the study was not formally published, copies are available on request from Waterways Ireland.
351 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands the action Waterways Ireland is taking to ensure that all gates on the River Shannon are opened and free of debris; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5300/02]
As the Deputy may be aware, Waterways Ireland is a North-South implementation body for inland waterways, and was established on 2 December 1999 on foot of the British-Irish Agreement and the supplementary Implementation Bodies Agreement signed in March 1999. I am informed by Waterways Ireland that it controls sluice gates at weirs at five locations on the River Shannon. When the water level rises above that necessary for navigation purposes, the sluices are opened so as to aid the flow of water. Waterways Ireland makes every effort to ensure that the sluice gates are kept free from debris and advises me that all gates are inspected at least weekly, with some being inspected on a daily basis. Any debris hindering the flow of water is removed as soon as possible.
