James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Mr. Smyth and Mr. Basquille for attending. Last year the committee made a number of recommendations that would not have cost much money. The witnesses are tiptoeing around the issue. There were simple solutions that would alleviate considerable hardship for people living in the Shannon catchment area. A simple one was removing the man-made structure in Clondara. The OPW cut what was over the water rather than what was under the water. I know the Minister is frustrated over the lack of joined-up thinking between officials at the top and the personnel on the ground who do not seem to be in line with that thinking.

What efforts have been made to keep the water level 2 ft. below the weir wall in Athlone? Very little effort has been made on the maintenance of the Shannon and its tributaries. The witnesses said that removing silt and preventing it building up were minor works. They are major works for the people in the midlands, because they cause considerable hardship. Removing the debris, including tree branches and leaves that builds up in the river, from the Shannon and its tributaries would prevent a serious amount of flooding in the Shannon basin area. Simple solutions are not being acted upon and I believe the OPW should have senior personnel down there looking at what is happening on the ground. The reports coming back to the OPW do not tally with the reality on the ground. I would really appreciate more effort from OPW senior management and the people working on the ground. It is a joke to see the man-made structure in the Shannon at Clondara Tarmonbarry still not removed.

I know the Minister has been in contact with the farmers, and he is as frustrated as I am that this issue has not been dealt with. Very little effort is being made to remove silt from the tributaries and waters feeding into the Shannon. Some old bridges on these tributaries were closed by local authorities for health and safety reasons and the arches are still blocked off. These bridges were constructed two centuries ago. The possibility of opening them up to allow water flow through has never been considered. The view which came across at every public meeting on this issue which I have attended over the past six months is that not enough engagement or local consultation takes place. The National Parks and Wildlife Service still seems to have more power than the OPW. People are afraid to take it on but it must be taken on. A common sense approach should be taken to dealing with this issue. This is what people want to see. I would appreciate if the witnesses comment on this.