Mr. Mark Adamson:

Before I come to the initial questions I shall quickly touch on an issue raised by the Chairman, as to whether one can have confidence in what the OPW does. Prior to 2004 our focus had been on flood relief schemes and urban flood protection. A major policy review was undertaken in 2003 and 2004 that set us on a much wider programme of initiatives. A huge amount of work has been undertaken in a planned and co-ordinated way since then, including the CFRAM programme, the development of guidelines for sustainable planning, the work that led up to the announcement this year to initiate a national flood forecasting service and the work we did with our colleagues in the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government in terms of developing guidance on emergency response planning to name but a few. A huge amount of work has been ongoing.

The CFRAM programme has taken us forward in terms of considering strategic planning to address the most serious areas of flood risk around the country. Another question asked was whether more research than works is taking place. The CFRAM programme has been an unprecedented programme in terms of its scale of assessment. It is the largest assessment and planning programme for flood risk that has been undertaken. For the first time, a strategic long-term investment programme is being developed that gives us confidence that we have a clear sight line of direction. Recently a peer review of the Irish practice in flood risk management was undertaken by Dutch water experts from the Dutch Government. They came here and generally gave us a very positive report. They noted that our overall approach, particularly through CFRAM, was very much in line with international best practice.

I shall touch on some of the issues raised. It has been mentioned that water levels have been high along the River Shannon, and this is particular true for some of the turloughs. If I may, I wish to link into the comment made by Senator Hopkins that the water table that drives flooding in and around turloughs can remain high for a long period. It must be recognised that each turlough behaves in a somewhat unique way and they are all different. In order to understand how turloughs behave, we need to capture data to inform that, which then allows us to assess what potentially can be done to alleviate the problem. We are working with the Geological Survey of Ireland, GSI, at the moment. This will be a period of work that will take more than a few months. We need to carry out extensive data collection to make sure we do truly understand what is going on.

I do not have to mind positive examples of where turlough flooding issues have been solved. I understand there have been examples in Ireland. There is the difficulty that a turlough, by its very nature, creates an SAC because of the rare habitats that develop in them and it is the variation of water levels that creates a rare habitat. To interfere with the water level can be detrimental to a habitat, which then causes a problem. Works have been done to top off at the very extreme levels and to try to syphon water away. Clearly, we need to carry out such work where it is economically viable to do so.

Recently water levels have dropped due to a relatively dry period. A question was asked about Lough Allen. Last Friday the water level of Lough Allen had reached the revised minimum level that we are setting in terms of considering a pilot to draw down water levels. The water level was about 0.7 m lower than the previous normal winter level. We are finalising protocols to draw down the water level safely. Clearly, to draw the levels down we need to release water and make sure that when we do so we do not create or exacerbate flooding downstream. Trying to build up a storage by flooding people downstream would be unacceptable. We need to make sure we have clear protocols build around the process.

I shall finish by responding to the Senator's point about pinch points. We have carried out a huge amount of analysis through the Shannon CFRAM programme on what can be done to alleviate flooding along the River Shannon. Dredging, in various forms, was investigated in detail but it is an expensive option due to the sheer scale of the River Shannon. The costs very significantly outweigh the potential benefits of doing so, notwithstanding the potential environmental impacts that attach as well. The group is minded that we need to consider whether local maintenance might be taken forward at a lower cost to provide local benefits. To be honest, the impacts in terms of reducing flood levels through very localised maintenance is going to be limited but, notwithstanding that, the option will be explored.

Pinch points are another element. There is a throttle upstream from Meelick Weir. People have often considered that Meelick Weir causes flooding on the Callows. We have conducted analysis showing that even the complete removal of Meelick Weir would have very little impact because there is a throttle upstream that we have named the pinch points. There is a measure set out in the Shannon flood risk management plan to take forward further investigations of the pinch points because their removal costs much less than dredging. It also provides benefits in terms of lowering levels during certain flood conditions. We need to see if we can undertake selective work in terms of removing those pinch points to gain the maximum benefit from the works done. The works assessed so far are not cost beneficial so we need to appraise the agricultural benefits that it would generate.

Our focus typically is on benefits to properties, farm lands and so forth. Finally, we will have to undertake a detailed ecological survey because the area is a SAC so we must ensure we are fully compliant with environmental legislation.

The issue of Glenflesk was raised. Vincent Campbell has already discussed the issue of channel maintenance. Through the CFRAM we were unable to identify an economically viable measure that would provide protection to the properties in Glenflesk, unfortunately, but we were with regard to Castleisland. A scheme is being proposed in the south-west flood risk management plans that is viable and will provide protection to quite a large number of properties in that area.

I hope I have answered members' questions.