Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

Efforts are being made to try to pull this together. There are various authorities involved, including the local authorities, the OPW and the ESB, which historically had a role in this. The role of the ESB is often questioned by locals in the area in terms of how quickly water is allowed down the river bearing in mind the Ardnacrusha situation. There are as many views on that issue as there are people living in that region. It is an issue with which I am familiar and one that I would like to see improved. I do not believe the solution is to remove from the Shannon River some people who already have responsibility in this area. We must try to pull together in a coherent manner the various interests involved. We must try to see what is possible. The view of some people on draining the Shannon is a little simplistic and does not do justice to the complexity of the issues and interests involved.

I am acutely aware of the problem and I have asked the Minister of State at the Office of Public Works to address this issue in a coherent manner and to revert to me on it.

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