Ms Clare McGrath:

I will come back to the question on what is being drawn down by the local authorities in the areas affected in order that the Deputy will see what was sought and what was drawn down with regard to the River Shannon. In the 1980s, the Government made a decision to discontinue arterial drainage. After this, it was recognised there were urban areas where schemes were needed, and ten schemes were identified. The Office of Public Works undertook these schemes, and funds were made available. Since then, significant flood events have occurred in particular locations, and these have been an element in driving demands with regard to considering the feasibility of what could be done and what was viable. Much was determined on the potential costs and benefits and what would be the greater return, such as the number of houses protected. In this exercise, 300 areas have been identified, and multi-criteria analysis will determine the order in which work will be undertaken, subject to capacity and funding. We will use systematic and objective criteria to determine nationally what projects proceed. The Deputy mentioned 66 locations, but a considerable number of locations along the Shannon have been identified in the CFRAM report and among the 300 locations.

It is not proposed to have a lead agency for the management of the Shannon. As it is, there are local stakeholders such as residents, the farming sector and other sectors and other stakeholders such as the ESB, Waterways Ireland, Inland Fisheries, angling associations and other amenity users of the Shannon, some of which have statutory responsibilities and others with ownership rights. There is also Bord na Móna and various other public bodies. Our role, through the CFRAM process, is management of flood risk. We do not control the Shannon and all of its elements. It is very important to us that all stakeholders come together, which is part of our public consultation effort, to ensure we achieve balance between the competing demands while providing flood protection.