Press Release
“Minister aims to bring forward ‘final proposal’ for River Shannon Management Bill in early 2024.” Carol Nolan
29-11-2023
Minister of State at the Office of Public Works (OPW) Patrick O’Donovan has confirmed to Independent TD for Laois Offaly Carol Nolan that he aims to bring forward a ‘final proposal’ dealing with issues related to the River Shannon Management Agency Bill 2020 early in the new year.
The minister provided the information to Deputy Nolan after she raised the matter as a priority oral question in the Dáil. The independent TD also sought information on the efforts of the OPW to engage with Inland Waterways or the ESB with respect to mitigation measures to address flooding on the Shannon Callows.
Minister O’Donovan also confirmed that a tender will issue shortly for an Ecological Consultant to carry out a high level environmental study. The study will consider the possible impacts of the excavation of material at key locations in the River Shannon channel; the longer term maintenance of the riverbed and changes in water levels:
“Farmers and landowners need certainty on this matter and that is why I welcome, at long last, some kind of indication about when we will finally see a concrete legislative proposal with respect to a Bill that has been on the government priority list for the last three years,” said Deputy Nolan.
“I understand the issue is complex, and that as the minister has indicated the issues are closely intertwined with other uses of the river such as navigation, dam safety and electricity generation, but the fact remains we need urgent action to prevent ongoing flooding and destruction that comes with it.”
“I did also ask the minister what efforts were being made by his party’s MEP’s to address the ecological regulatory constraints that may be slowing this work at the EU level, but for some bizarre reason he seemed to get upset about this and told me I was free to email them. I and my constituents deserved a far more serious reply to that legitimate question,” concluded Deputy Nolan.
ENDS
Note to Editor: Link to Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?
Link to Dáil Transcript: https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/
For Priority Answer on : 28/11/2023
Question Number(s): 28 Question Reference(s): 52514/23
Department: Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform
Asked by: Carol Nolan T.D.
______________________________
QUESTION
To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure; National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if the OPW has engaged with Inland Waterways or the ESB with respect to mitigation measures to address flooding on the Shannon Callows; the input by his Department into advancing the River Shannon Management Agency Bill 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
REPLY
The progression of measures to mitigate flood risk in Shannon River Basin District (RBD) is a key priority for the Government. Currently, there are 13 completed flood relief schemes schemes in the Shannon RBD and these schemes are already providing protection to over 2,600 properties. A further 36 flood relief schemes will be delivered or under way as part of the Government’s €1.3bn investment in flood relief measures over the lifetime of the National Development Plan to 2030. 24 of these schemes are currently being progressed including Athlone and Springfield which are currently at construction stage. When completed, all schemes will protect 95% of properties identified as being at significant risk from flooding in the Shannon RBD.
On a day to day basis, water levels on the Shannon River are managed in accordance with agreed protocols between Waterways Ireland and the ESB. Waterways Ireland manage water levels for navigation purposes while the ESB manage water levels for the purposes of electricity generation. The ESB manage those levels on the three lakes (Lough Allen, Lough Ree and Lough Derg) and Waterways Ireland manage water levels at the intermediate water control infrastructure between those lakes.
Waterways Ireland and the ESB monitor weather forecasts along with water level reading instrumentation to make informed decisions around sluice opening and closing procedures whilst remaining within the agreed protocols. While these operations influence the water levels on the Shannon, the levels cannot be fully controlled, especially when the Shannon Callows is in flood.
The Shannon Food Risk State Agency Coordination Group last met on 11th October, 2023 and discussed a range of issues relating to work underway to assist with flood risk management along the River Shannon. This includes a project for the removal of the ‘pinch points’ through the Callows region between Athlone and Meelick weir. The Shannon Callows includes two sites designated under European Environmental legislation, the River Shannon Callows SAC and the Middle Shannon Callows SPA. Ireland, like all EU Member States, is bound by the requirements of the EU Habitats and Birds Directives. No work can commence in the absence of all appropriate consents being granted.
A Steering Group is in place to oversee the ‘pinch points’ project. A tender will issue shortly for an Ecological Consultant to carry out a high level environmental study. The study will consider the possible impacts of: the excavation of material at key locations in the River Shannon channel; the longer term maintenance of the riverbed and changes in water levels.
The preparation of legislation to improve the management of flood risk on the River Shannon is a Government priority. The management of flood risk on the river is closely intertwined with other uses of the river such as for navigation, dam safety and electricity generation. The OPW has conducted an analysis of existing legislation regarding the management of the River Shannon, including a review of the powers of various bodies involved with the river. The outcome of this analysis has informed a proposed approach which is currently under consideration and I hope to subsequently bring a final proposal to Government.
END
Regards,
David Mullins.
Parliamentary Assistant to Deputy Carol Nolan.
Independent TD for the Constituency of Laois Offaly
Member of Oireachtas Committee on Standing Orders & Dáil Reform
Member of the Oireachtas Committee on Education, Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science
Member of the Rural Independent Group.
We were nearly arrested but we are going back again!!!!!!
11th September 2023
After the extreme rainfall in July there was a severe accumulation of flood water on the farming land in Shannon Callows stretching from Athlone to Meelick and farther afield. Yet the level in Lough Derg was extremely low indicating to us that water was blocked between Meelick
and Ardnacrusha. On the 11 Sept a delegation from Save Our Shannon Organisation (SOSO) visited Ardnacrusha. We were categorically assured by the engineering staff there that they were utilising all the water that came to their plant and could, in fact, use more. Are there other “activities” preventing the flow of the river and destroying private farming property?