Marcella Corcoran Kennedy (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for coming before the committee. Most of my colleagues from the Shannon basin and others have covered much of the ground already. I chaired a committee and presented a report calling for the OPW to be given management powers with regard to the Shannon. What is the opinion of the witnesses on this? While the OPW is the lead agency, it does not appear to have sufficient powers to compel people to take action. While I respect agencies have their own agendas, we felt very strongly there should be one overarching body which should have the power to invite people to discuss on a formal basis future plans for the River Shannon, particularly when bad weather is forecast.

I welcome the fact that the ESB has agreed to let off water at Athlone. People experienced in examining rising water levels felt strongly about this given they were not falling sufficiently there. How will this happen? Who will make the decision on it? Will it be left to the ESB?

How prescriptive will the catchment flood risk assessment and management, CFRAM, report be? We have received numerous suggestions for solutions, including ideas such as using boglands to hold excess water, abatement works and building up rock armour in particular places along the Shannon. Who will have the power to decide what to do?

The issue with regard to silt has been raised time and again. I understand restrictions exist with regard to transporting silt, but Bord na Móna's railway network has huge potential in this regard. How much consultation has been done with it to see what role it can play? Of course we must bear in mind the big difference between wet and dry silt.