Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome this Bill and thank my colleagues for tabling it. Year after year, families and farmers across west Offaly have had to deal with the devastating effects of flooding along the Shannon. This is having a significant impact on residents in west Offaly and those trying to farm on the Shannon Callows. People from Clonmacnoise to Lusmagh have raised this issue with me. In 2020 alone, there have been floods in February and July, and as we speak, areas have flooded and are under threat of flooding along the Shannon. We see that this will continue, especially due to climate change, and that will be a pattern. This is a serious issue. I have made repeated representations to the relevant bodies and to the Minister of State. He recently sent me a reply in this regard. I am frustrated by the lack of progress and disappointed that we do not have a single authority. In September 2020, I received a reply from the Minister of State and OPW, following representations that I made on behalf of farmers and residents in that area. I was informed about the ongoing work of the co-ordination group and the budget of €7 million for the area from Athlone to Lusmagh.

I welcome that, if that is happening. It is some progress. Unfortunately, however, it is not enough because it is not a single body with authority. This group has only met twice in some years. There is a total of 20 agencies, including local authorities, involved in the management and maintenance of the river. There are clear conflicts and divisions there in respect of the various interests. The one thing I have learned in life is that if too many people and bodies are responsible, nobody is responsible. Every public representative knows this. If one is dealing with an issue and the buck can be passed from one body to another, it is hard to nail the issue down. It is like trying to nail jelly to the wall.

There must be a single body. The absence of a single body with authority, power and finance has held back progress, not just under this Government but since the foundation of the State. This has been an issue for decades. The Bill has been brought forward by Deputy Clarke and Sinn Féin to resolve this. Bringing forward legislation to establish a single river management agency on a statutory footing will provide it with powers to manage, carry out drainage works and to construct flood defences and other mitigation works on the River Shannon.

There was a suggestion in the past regarding flooding on the Shannon and trying to reduce water levels. The issue of cutaway bogs is something the Minister of State and his officials might look at again. That suggestion has been made, and I refer to it in a constructive way. There might be opportunities to use some cutaway bogs for flood mitigation during periods of heavy rainfall. We know that in some cases the water cannot get away quickly enough, regardless of what one does, and it could reduce the water levels during periods of high rainfall. Bord na Móna has substantial land banks close to the river and in some cases along the river bank. It might be an option. I believe it is a real possibility that some of the cutaway bogs could mitigate some of this.

It is time we dealt with the devastating impact flooding of the River Shannon is having on farmlands and villages, particularly in places such as Shannon Harbour and other communities in west Offaly. It is causing severe hardship for residents and farmers. It is a serious issue that requires a substantial effort. The Government said it will not knock down this legislation completely. I urge it not to kick the can down the road for another nine months. We must do this now, particularly for the people of west Offaly and other communities affected by this.

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