Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)

I thank the Cheann Comhairle for selecting this matter. I also thank Deputy Cowen for raising the issue. At the outset, I agree with his remarks on the emergency services which did sterling work in parts of the country both last night and this morning to help citizens to deal with the appalling flooding events, particularly in the south west. I agree with him that work needs to be recognised in this House.

This topic gives me the opportunity to address the problems with flooding on the Shannon Callows. Having extensively toured the Callows area last year, accompanied by public representatives, IFA representatives and local residents, to see the situation for myself and to talk through the issues, I am conscious of the serious impact both on farming and the environment in the area due to flooding.

I recognise that the Shannon Callows is an important asset to the farming community. Traditional farming practices are recognised as contributing to the economic and social management of this unique area. I accept that the recent pattern of flooding to the Callows has caused extensive hardship to many members of the community.

In general, this summer's flooding arises from the restricted capacity of the River Shannon at this location. Flooding can occur as a result of large flows from either the River Suck, the upper Shannon from Lough Ree or a combination of both. The inflow from the River Brosna also contributes to flooding in this area.

June has been a very wet month. Although there are still two days left in the month, it is already the wettest June on record at most of the stations in the Shannon catchment. Some of these stations also experienced their highest or second highest ever daily rainfall for June. As a general indication, rainfall in this area has been between two and three times the long-term average for June. We have therefore suffered a major problem this month because of the rainfall.

Due to the bout of heavy and prolonged rainfall in early June water levels in the Shannon have risen, particularly in the Callows area. I have reviewed an initial report on the impact of this flooding event and the photos provided have given me a graphic appreciation of the scope of lands affected.

I have been proactively monitoring the situation. As Deputy Cowen said, I took the opportunity of organising a meeting in Leinster House with local elected representatives in the affected constituencies along the Shannon basin. Following that meeting, I have instructed that another meeting with local representatives be organised shortly with senior representatives of both Waterways Ireland and the ESB in attendance.

Waterways Ireland is one of the six North-South implementation bodies established under the British-Irish Agreement in 1999. Waterways Ireland has responsibility for the management, maintenance, development and restoration of inland navigable waterways, principally for recreational purposes.

Operational control of water flows and levels on the Shannon is a matter for both Waterways Ireland and the ESB. The Office of Public Works has no direct responsibility in this regard.

I will examine this issue closely, as to whether or not statutory responsibility should reside within our Department. It is precious little help to the Deputy and his constituency colleagues if we are the lead agency but cannot set water levels across the Shannon, which is currently the statutory position. I recognise that is a contradiction and so I intend to examine it closely.

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