Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 March 2020
161. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of meetings held by the River Shannon co-ordination group in each of the years 2016 to 2019 and to date in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3380/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Shannon Flood Risk State Agency Co-ordination Working Group was established in early 2016 by the Government to support existing plans in place and planned to address flooding and to enhance the ongoing co-operation of all state agencies involved with the River Shannon. The Group was established, at that time, following severe flooding arising from exceptional weather conditions from December, 2015 to January, 2016.
The Group publishes an Annual Work Programme that demonstrates the extensive range of activities and co-ordination by all State Agencies underway to jointly and proactively address flood risk along the Shannon. These Work Programmes are available at www.opw.ie.
The Group has taken a number of significant decisions since its establishment, including targeted maintenance activities at a number of locations, trialling the lowering of the levels on Lough Allen, studies to explore managing flood risk at the Callows and a study on the cause, degree and rate of restriction downstream of Parteen Weir.
In January 2020, Mr. Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran TD, Minister of State with special responsibility for the Office of Public Works and Flood Relief, announced that he has secured government support for €7 million investment to advance a planned programme of maintenance works and the removal of constrictions or ‘pinch points’ on the bed of the River Shannon at the Callows Region between Athlone and Meelick Weir to improve the conveyancing of the River Shannon. This investment, following full environmental assessment and planning, as well as helping to mitigate Summer, low level, flooding to support the tourism, navigation and agricultural sectors for this region.
The Group met on five occasions during its first year of establishment in 2016. In 2017, it established a Sub Committee on Work Programme and Measures. The Sub Committee typically meets between each meeting of the main Group. Additional meetings are held to progress work measures as necessary. The main Group has met bi-annually, once in Autumn to review the Work Programme and once in Spring to assess progress and issues arising during the Winter period. The next meeting of the Group will be held on 30th April, 2020. This will be the 12th meeting of the Group.
