Written Answers Nos. 154-171
154. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the level of engagement between his Department and his Danish counterpart on the failure of a company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53950/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra155. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the level of engagement between him and his Danish counterpart on the failure of a company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53951/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra156. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the level of engagement between the Central Bank and the Danish financial regulators on the failure of a company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53952/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 154 to 156, inclusive, together.
In general terms I do not consider it appropriate for either me or my Department to engage with our counterparts in other Member States on regulatory/supervisory matters as in my role as Minister for Finance, I am responsible for the development of the legal framework governing financial regulation, and have no role in the day to day supervision of insurance companies. Therefore in the case of Alpha there has been no engagement by my Department or myself with our Danish counterparts. It should be noted that because of the rather unique circumstances of Qudos there has been a telephone call between my officials and their Danish counterparts. This is outlined in another PQ answered today.
The Central Bank of Ireland has advised me that it was notified by the Danish Financial Supervisory Authority on 7 March 2018 that it had ordered Alpha Insurance A/S (“Alpha”) to cease writing new business including renewal of existing contracts and business with immediate effect. It was further notified on 9 May 2018 that the liquidators of the insurance company Alpha had filed a petition for bankruptcy.
As the Deputy is aware, the European Insurance and Occupational Pension Authority (EIOPA) is the pan-European authority with responsibility for oversight of the insurance industry. In 2017, EIOPA developed a cross-border platform of cooperation between National Competent Authorities (NCA’s) to provide all NCA’s with the opportunity to discuss concerns in relation to specific undertakings, local markets and share general market developments. The Central Bank has advised me that they participate fully in these platforms with other relevant supervisory authorities including the Danish Financial Supervisory Authority. They also confirmed that in relation to Alpha Insurance, there was a Platform established in which the Bank engaged with all relevant supervisors including their Danish counterparts.
157. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the level of engagement his Department and the Central Bank have had with the liquidators of companies (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53953/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs a general rule, it is not appropriate in my view for either my Department or the Central Bank to engage directly with the liquidators of insolvent insurers in other Member States. Instead in the cases in question (Qudos and Alpha) the Central Bank has liaised with its Danish counterparts (the Danish Financial Supervisory Authority (DFSA)), in order to try and obtain whatever information is required from the liquidators.
As the Deputy is aware, the European Insurance and Occupational Pension Authority (EIOPA) is the pan-European authority with responsibility for oversight of the insurance industry. In 2017, EIOPA developed a cross-border platform of cooperation between National Competent Authorities (NCA’s) to provide all NCA’s with the opportunity to discuss concerns in relation to specific undertakings, local markets and share general market developments. The Central Bank has advised me that they participate fully in these platforms with other relevant supervisory authorities including the Danish Financial Supervisory Authority (DFSA).
In relation to Qudos, the Central Bank advise that they are in very frequent contact with its Danish counterpart (DFSA), the supervisory authorities of other affected member states though the EIOPA established Collaboration Platform. The DFSA liaises with the liquidator and provides updates to the platform members. I understand that the Danish liquidators are currently continuing their review of the company with a view to determining its underlying financial position. It is expected that more information regarding this matter should be available this week.
The Central Bank have also confirmed that in relation to Alpha Insurance, there was a Platform established in which the Bank engaged with all relevant supervisors including their Danish counterparts.
Details of the liquidators appointed for both companies have been published on their respective websites.
158. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance his views on the establishment of an EU-wide insurance compensation fund to deal with the aftermath of insurance company failures; his views on whether such a mechanism will be established to improve the EU-wide insurance market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53954/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra159. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance his views on whether each member state in the EU should have an insurance compensation fund to deal with the aftermath of insurance company failures; his further views on whether such a proposal will be forthcoming from the European Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53955/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 158 and 159 together.
I am supportive of the general idea of greater harmonisation at EU level for insurance guarantee schemes (IGSs) as this would serve to enhance policyholder protection and ensure a more equitable outcome for policyholders and claimants in different Member States.
The current situation whereby Member States have adopted their own approach to insurance guarantee schemes, which show noticeable differences in design features, such as scope, coverage (e.g. geographical or by product line) and funding is not satisfactory. For instance, I understand, based on reports published from various sources including the European Insurance and Occupational Pension Authority (EIOPA) and EU Commission, that there are, 26 Insurance Guarantee Schemes (IGSs) (or similar schemes) established in 20 Member States: eight IGSs operating on the basis of the host-country principle, eight operating on the home-country principle and eight schemes with a combination of both. The remaining two schemes are undefined. In addition, IGSs do not exist in the following EEA Member States: Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Slovakia, Slovenia and Sweden.
These differences in national Insurance Guarantee Schemes (IGSs), together with differences in insolvency laws, have led to a situation where policyholders across or even within the same Member States are not protected to the same extent in liquidation. Therefore it has been difficult to arrive at a common EU position in relation to IGSs. However, there has been considerable efforts on the issue, including a number of reports and initiatives in recent years:
- A 2010 Commission white paper on the introduction of an EU wide framework of Insurance Guarantee Systems. No significant progress was made on this framework subsequently as the development of Solvency II was the priority piece of work at the time.
- A 2015 Commission discussion paper on the possibility of introducing a recovery and resolution regime for insurance undertakings which could include an Insurance Guarantee Scheme.
- In 2017 the Commission issued a questionnaire to all Member States seeking information on Recovery and Resolution including experiences with failures and near-failures of insurers.
- The European Systemic Risk Board published a report “Recovery and Resolution for the EU insurance sector: a macro prudential perspective” in August 2017. The Central Bank of Ireland was represented on the drafting team.
- EIOPA published an Opinion to Institutions of the European Union on the Harmonisation of Recovery and Resolution Frameworks for (Re) Insurers (July 2017).
- Work is also underway at an EIOPA level, where a project group has been set up to examine more broadly recovery and resolution within insurance and in relation to Insurance Guarantee Schemes, a discussion paper was published on this topic. https://eiopa.europa.eu/Publications/Consultations/EIOPA-CP-18-003_Discussion_paper_on_resolution_funding%20and.pdf
In addition, the Deputy should note that the European Commission proposed an amendment to the Motor Insurance Directive which would oblige member states to set up Insurance Guarantee Schemes to cover the cost of insolvent motor insurers. I support this measure and my officials are actively participating to ensure that the legislation is strong and in the best interests of Ireland, given the large insurance industry here and our previous experience with insolvent inward-Freedom of Services (FoS) insurers.
Finally, while the provision of cross-border insurance is an essential part of the Single market, and it is acknowledged that there are obvious difficulties which arise when an insurer fails, it should be noted that Solvency II is not a 'no-failure' regime as it would not be possible to build a viable system that provides a cast iron guarantee that no insurer will ever fail. Consequently it is important that EU supervisors properly and consistently supervise the insurers that they authorise, and that there is greater communications between supervisors across the EU about their respective companies conducting cross-border business. You should also be aware that as part of the ongoing review of the European Supervisory architecture, there is a proposal to further improve cross-border co-operation and communication through the strengthening of Cross-Border Collaboration Platforms. These already operate on an ad-hoc basis, however this proposal would ensure a more formal structure is put in place where an insurer is doing a lot of cross border business. This would therefore give the supervisors of countries into which insurance is written a greater insight into how the business is being conducted.
160. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance when the law was changed governing the Danish guarantee fund to deal with insurance company failures in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53956/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAt the outset I would like to say that as there is currently no EU harmonised approach to insurance guarantee schemes. Member States have adopted their own approach to such schemes, which show noticeable differences in design features, such as scope, coverage and funding.
I understand that the Danish scheme for non life companies (Garantifonden for skadesforsikringsselskaber) was established on 1 October 2003 and comes under the remit of the Consolidated Act on the Guarantee Fund for Non-life Insurance. This Act was most recently amended by Act No. 375 of 1 May 2018, which changed the scope of the Fund from a home-country principle to a host-country principle, with effect from 1 January 2019, and requires all insurers writing business in Denmark to be a member of the Danish Insurance Guarantee Fund.
The difference between a host based insurance guarantee scheme and a home based one is that the former only covers policies or risks in that state no matter where they are written from, whereas the latter covers all policies issued by domestically authorised insurers whether sold in that state or in other member states via branches or Freedom of Services (FoS).
It should be noted that the Irish Insurance Compensation Fund (ICF) is a host-based scheme.
In conclusion, while the provision of cross-border insurance is an essential part of the Single market, it is acknowledged that there are obvious difficulties which arise when an insurer fails. It is important therefore that EU supervisors properly and consistently supervise the insurers that they authorise, and that there is greater communications between supervisors across the EU about their respective companies conducting cross-border business.
161. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the number of persons that have applied to the declined insurance scheme run by an organisation (details supplied) in each month in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53958/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, under the terms of the Declined Cases Agreement (DCA), which is adhered to by all motor insurers in Ireland, the insurance market will not refuse to provide insurance to an individual seeking motor insurance if he or she has approached at least three insurers and has not been able to obtain cover from them.
I am not responsible for the operation of the DCA and therefore I do not have direct access to the number of applications made under the DCA process during 2018 to date.
However, in order to be as helpful as I can, my officials contacted Insurance Ireland seeking the DCA application figures. In response, Insurance Ireland provided statistics on the number of cases it dealt with in the first half of 2018. In relation to these cases, Insurance Ireland has informed my officials that all applications submitted were accepted by Insurance Ireland for processing under the DCA.
The month-by-month figures for the first half of 2018 are:
|
Month |
Total |
|
January |
110 |
|
February |
96 |
|
March |
116 |
|
April |
129 |
|
May |
103 |
|
June |
106 |
Therefore, the total number of applications for the first half of 2018 was 660. This compares to 789 applications for the corresponding period in 2017.
It should be noted that the Cost of Insurance Working Group recommended the Declined Cases Agreement process should be made more transparent under the Report on the Cost of Motor Insurance. On foot of this recommendation, Insurance Ireland agreed to submit an annual report on the operation of the Agreement to my Department. In the first such report, Insurance Ireland stated that it “believes that the time may be correct for a review of elements” of the Agreement. My Department accepted this proposal and has since hosted a number of workshops with relevant stakeholders who are examining what elements of the Agreement need to be amended or refined. I understand that the next such workshop is scheduled to take place in early 2019. I am also informed that the DCA figures for the whole of 2018 will be contained within the next annual report, which is due to be submitted by Insurance Ireland in the first quarter of next year.
162. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the amount of corporation tax paid by foreign multinational companies; the number of foreign multinational companies that have paid corporation tax to date in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53960/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra163. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the amount of corporation tax paid by the top ten payers to date in 2018; if these companies are foreign multinationals; the figure for 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53961/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 162 and 163 together.
I am advised by Revenue that information in respect of 2018 corporation tax payments is not yet available. It will be published in 2019 once the associated analysis is completed.
In relation to 2017, the most recent year for which data are available, I am advised that information in respect of the amount of Corporation Tax paid by foreign multinational companies is provided in Revenue’s “Corporation Tax 2017 Payments and 2016 Returns" statistical report. This report is published on the Revenue website at: https://www.revenue.ie/en/corporate/documents/research/ct-analysis-2018.pdf.
The following information in respect of net corporation tax receipts from the top 10 payers in the years 2015 to 2017 is provided in the aforementioned report (note that the composition of the top-10 companies changes from year to year).
|
Year |
Receipts from top 10 payers€m |
% of Total Net Receipts |
|
2015 |
2,798 |
41 |
|
2016 |
2,755 |
37 |
|
2017 |
3,230 |
39 |
Further breakdowns of this top 10 into foreign multinationals and other companies are not possible for confidentiality reasons.
With regard to the number of foreign multinational companies, the report notes that Revenue has compiled a new marker for companies tax resident in Ireland, distinguishing three categories: Irish owned multinational, foreign owned multinational and non-multinational. This identifies just over 6,200 foreign owned multinationals and around 300 Irish owned multinationals from the population of 153,700 companies active on Revenue records (filing CT1 returns). However it is noted that this is a manually compiled marker and therefore is subject to potential error and may be incomplete.
164. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance when he plans to advance the legislation to establish the rainy day fund in 2019; when the fund will be fully up and running; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53962/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing Government approval, the "National Surplus (Reserve Fund for Exceptional Contingencies) Bill 2018" was published on 23 October 2018 and subsequently circulated to Deputies. If enacted, this Bill will provide the legislative underpinning for the Rainy Day Fund, which will formally be known as the "National Surplus (Exceptional Contingencies) Reserve Fund". However, the timing of commencement is contingent on the Bill's passage through the Oireachtas.
The Rainy Day Fund is part of a suite of measures to help increase the State's resilience to external economic shocks. In particular, it will provide an economic buffer which can be drawn on in the event of a sharp downturn and mitigate its effects.
My intention, as outlined in Budget 2019, is to seed the Fund with an initial transfer of €1.5 billion from the assets of the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund. I have provided for Exchequer transfers of €500 million per annum from 2019 to 2023. This will see the Fund grow to around €4 billion by end 2023.
In addition, the Bill will provide the possibility of placing windfall tax or other receipts in the Fund, where the Dáil by resolution so authorises. The projection of €4 billion by the end of 2023 is contingent on a number of assumptions such as that there is no event requiring a draw-down over the period; that there are no windfall receipts placed in the Fund over the period; and that there is no significant event during the period requiring use of the in-year contingency reserve.
I should explain that the in-year contingency reserve is intended to operate as a potential carve-out from the annual €500 million allocation to the Fund. Where, as a result of a natural or other disaster, Government incurs unforeseeable additional expenditure to mitigate the effects of that event, the payment into the Rainy Day Fund in that year may be reduced by an amount of up to that additional expenditure. This is not intended to replace or substitute for prudent budgeting by central and local government and their agencies: it is an additional facility to provide flexibility to mitigate a significant event or consequences in excess of those which can be dealt with under prudent contingency planning and budgeting.
Subject to Dáil and Seanad scheduling, I hope it will be possible to establish the Fund as early as possible in 2019, and to make the initial transfer from the assets of the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund shortly thereafter. In order to ensure meaningful availability of the in-year contingency reserve, I intend that the annual transfers to the Fund will not as a rule be made until close to the end of the financial year. This will ensure that the transfer is not made until after the in-year financial consequences of a serious event have crystallised.
I look forward to debating my detailed proposals at Second Stage in the Dáil in the coming months.
165. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance when the national claims information database will be fully up and running; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53963/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware the Central Bank (National Claims Information Database) Bill 2018, which underpins the proposed Database, is scheduled for Committee Stage and remaining stages in the Seanad tomorrow (20 December 2018).
I am hopeful that the Bill will be approved by the Seanad which will enable it to be enacted by the end of the year. I then intend to commence the relevant provisions in the Act in early 2019. This commencement process is necessary in order for the Central Bank to make its own regulations which are required for it to collect the relevant information for the database from insurers.
In this regard, it should be noted that the Central Bank has laid the ground for the collection of this data by carrying out a parallel technical specification exercise with insurers to ensure that the Database can be operationalised quickly following the enactment of the legislation.
The Central Bank has indicated that subject to the timeframes for enactment and commencement of the Act, it plans to collect the relevant data from insurance undertakings in the first half of 2019, and to publish the first report based on the collected data in the second half of 2019.
It is therefore important that the Bill be enacted as soon as possible, and in that spirit, Minister of State D’Arcy looks forward to working constructively with members of the Seanad tomorrow.
166. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the stamp duty received from non-residential property charged at 6% to date in 2018 compared to the expectation of stamp duty receipts from non-residential property; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53964/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by Revenue that the available information is the estimated net receipts of Stamp Duty associated with all types of property for January to November 2018, which amounted to €586 million. It is tentatively estimated that around €430 million of these receipts relate to non-residential property. The final figure for the split between residential and non-residential will not be available until after the year-end. While a monthly forecast for Stamp Duty on non-residential property is not prepared by Revenue, an estimate on a full-year basis is €600 million.
167. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Finance the amount spent on social media by his Department in 2016, 2017 and to date in 2018; the projected spend in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53990/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe details of the amount spent on social media by this Department in 2016, 2017 and to date in 2018 and the projected spend in 2019 is provided in the table below.
|
Section |
The amount spent on social media by his Department in 2016, 2017 and to date in 2018, |
the projected spend in 2019; |
|
Banking Division |
2017 - YouTube - €6,222.862018 - YouTube - €8,895.94 |
Nil |
|
Corporate Affairs |
2017 - Switch Your Bank - €73.802017 – European Financial Forum - €24.60 |
Nil |
168. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Finance the amount spent on marketing and media by his Department in 2016, 2017 and to date in 2018; the projected spend in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54007/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe details of the amount spent on marketing and media by this Department in 2016, 2017 and to date in 2018. Presently we have no projected spend for this type of expenditure for 2019.
|
Section |
The amount spent on marketing and media by his Department in 2016, 2017 and to date in 2018 |
the projected spend in 2019; |
|
International Finance Division |
2018 – Independent Newspapers Marketing Ltd. - €1,239.842018 – Tuairisc Bheo Teoranta - €982.77 |
Nil |
|
Banking Division |
2016 - Switch Your Bank - €24,6822016 - Mortgage Arrears Communication Campaign - €73,1362017 - Switch Your Bank - €717,7462018 - Switch Your Bank - €402,210 |
Nil |
|
Corporate Affairs |
2018 - Outside Broadcasting of National Economic Dialogue - €13,616.10 2017 - Outside Broadcasting of National Economic Dialogue - €17,656.65 2017 - Switch Your Bank - €73.802017 – European Financial Forum - €24.60 2016 - Outside Broadcasting of National Economic Dialogue - €17,656.65 |
Nil |
|
FIMP |
2017 - Information notice re: Beneficial Ownership - €2,407.73 |
Nil |
The Switch Your Bank campaign is funded, in its entirety, by AIB and Permanent TSB, as part of a range of competition measures agreed with the European Commission to raise awareness and promote customer switching of financial products.
- The Department of Finance facilitates this campaign as part of its remit to ensure that consumers are protected within the financial sector in Ireland and to ensure a healthy level of competition.
- The contract with Language Communications permitted them to appoint subcontractors for provision of services.
- Phase one of the public awareness campaign cost €738,000 in total.
- Phase two of the public awareness campaign will cost €405,900 in total.
- An additional €738 was spent on web hosting for the Switch Your Bank campaign.
169. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the amount spent by his Department on public advertising and the purchase of external communications and publicity in 2018 by advertising campaign, including specific amounts on social media campaigns (details supplied) or other digital platforms; the amount spent on public relations or other communications support in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53581/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn response to the Deputy's question, the table sets out the amount of money spent on public advertising and the purchase of external communications and publicity by my Department in 2018.
|
Company |
Campaign |
Cost |
|
Public Appointments Service |
Social Media - Google Ads |
€136.11 |
|
Public Appointments Service |
Economist / Policy Analyst competition - Facebook Campaign |
€307.50 |
|
Public Appointments Service |
Economist / Policy Analyst - LinkedIn Campaign |
€246.00 |
|
Mindshare Media |
MyGovID awareness campaign – media buying |
€76,948.91 |
|
Kick Advertising and Design |
MyGovID awareness campaign – creative content |
€22,720.56 |
|
Morrow Communications |
OGP – Brand Development – communication advice |
€5,200.00 |
|
Morrow Communications |
OGP – Design of pull-up banners – communication advice |
€480.00 |
|
Morrow Communications |
OGP – design of eInvoicing infographic, development of eInvoicing logo |
€1,710.00 |
|
Morrow Communications |
OGP - Design of new presentations with new logo and branding. Design of new branded graphics for presentations. |
€2,430.00 |
|
Morrow Communications |
OGP - Design of Web Banner - Category Management and Supplier Registration Form redesigned in new brand style - OGP Icons |
€750.00 |
|
Morrow Communications |
OGP - Design and print of eInvoicing roll-up banners |
€685.00 |
|
Morrow Communications |
OGP - Production and filming of video at e-Invoicing event |
€3,096.23 |
|
Morrow Communications |
OGP - Design, print and delivery of 1,000 checklists |
€1,181.00 |
|
Iris Oifigiúil |
OGP - e-Invoicing ad on Iris Oifigiuil for Public Consultation Notice |
€64.00 |
|
Morrow Communications |
OGP - Production, editing of eTenders animation for YouTube Channel |
€12,449.00 |
|
Mediavest - Spark |
OGP - e-Invoicing ad on Irish Independent for Public Consultation Notice |
€1,511.42 |
|
Mediavest - Spark |
OGP - e-Invoicing ad on Tuarisc.ie for Public Consultation Notice |
€429.27 |
|
Morrow Communications |
OGP - TAS logo and leaflet design |
€2,335 |
|
Morrow Communications |
OGP - Design of e-Invoicing checklists leaflets |
€885.00 |
|
Morrow Communications |
OGP - Print and delivery of 1,000 factsheets e-Invoicing |
€180.00 |
|
Morrow Communications |
OGP - Responding to RFT animation script |
€3,000.00 |
|
Morrow Communications |
OGP - Production of TAS video with 2 days of filming |
€5,155.14 |
|
Morrow Communications |
OGP - Design of Spend Report 2016 - creative concept, revisions with tables and graphs |
€5,060.00 |
|
Morrow Communications |
OGP - Responding to RFT animation and production of storyboard |
€4,000.00 |
|
Morrow Communications |
OGP - Responding to e-Tenders animation with sound effects and music |
€7,000.00 |
|
Morrow Communications |
OGP - Production of 3 case studies videos including 1 in Irish Language |
€12,636.70 |
|
Kantar Media |
Media Monitoring Services |
€11,439.00 |
|
Mediavest |
Public advertising in relation to the competition for the appointment of Appeal Officers under the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015 |
€1,536.49 |
|
Mediavest |
Public Notice of Flood Defence Schemes / Plans |
€5,842.00 |
|
Tuairisc |
Request for submissions on the Department's revised Irish Language Scheme |
€774.90 |
170. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if consideration is being given to using funds in his Department, including the Office of Public Works, to upgrade infrastructure at Rosslare Port to prepare for the possibility of the UK becoming a third country with the EU in 2019. [53640/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe OPW are working with the Port authority to ensure that the necessary infrastructure is in place. Once the plans have been finalised a suitable funding mechanism will be put in place.
171. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the specific projects planned for 2019 to increase the capacity of the River Shannon; the associated cost of the projects; the expected completion dates for the projects; the impact these projects will have on increasing capacity on the River Shannon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53784/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Shannon Flood Risk State Agency Co-ordination Working Group was established by the Government in January 2016 to enhance on-going co-operation across all of the State Agencies involved with the River Shannon.
A sub-committee of the Working Group was subsequently formed to develop, monitor and report on progress of the Group’s work programme and additional measures to reduce flood risk on the Shannon catchment. Since its establishment, the Group has produced and published a work programme for each year to date. The work programme for 2019 is currently being finalised and will be published on the OPW website www.opw.ie in Q1, 2019. The programme will include maintenance activities to increase the existing capacity of the River Shannon.
In 2017, the sub-committee identified targeted maintenance activities for seven locations along the River Shannon. Work has been undertaken in three of these locations with further targeted works planned for 2019, during the appropriate seasonal windows. These works relate to the following activities:
- Tree cutting at the New Cut (Illaunacalliagh) (by Mar, 2019)
- Removal of silt and emergent vegetation at Meelick Weir (between May and Sept, 2019)
In addition, further work involving tree cutting is planned at Madden’s Island, downstream of Banagher, during the seasonal window which ends in March, 2019.
It is important to mention that the commencement and completion of all activities are subject to environmental considerations that may apply to the type of activity required at each site, resources available and favourable weather conditions.
