Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome all of our guests to our committee and I am delighted to be here to support them all as a Deputy from near Birr, which would not be too far away from Mr. Ryan, whom I have met before. I understand the situation and I have certainly raised this issue a number of times. I have reiterated my calls for legislation for one single agency to be set up to manage the Shannon. It is my understanding there is a draft Bill or that heads of a Bill have been prepared. We have all seen how quickly legislation can be enacted and implemented when there is a will to do so. It is frustrating me greatly that this Bill still has not been enacted.

I take the point that there are too many agencies involved, and as the saying goes, "Too many cooks spoil the broth." They all have their own agenda with regard to the water levels and we have seen that time and again. I have sent emails to many of those agencies when contacted as a representative in that area and I acted immediately. It is very frustrating to see that we still do not have one single body in charge. A number of Ministers, I believe, two or three years ago came and took a cruise down the Shannon but have not done anything. I do not think that is good enough. I say it as it is, black and white.

The witnesses and their organisation have talked to people and understand the issue. Why, then, has there not been follow through? Why are we still waiting two or three years later for heads of a Bill to be published? I would call those Ministers out and I certainly believe we can write to the Ministers and ask them where that Bill is and if we can have it enacted immediately given the unacceptable situation of many farmers in that area of the Shannon Callows.

Would be possible to write to MEPs? The political parties have their own MEPs. Could they do something on the habitats directive? Can they raise it or has this been tried before? I do not know but I believe there has to be some sort of push made here. Something needs to happen.