Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The progression of measures to mitigate flood risk in the Shannon River basin is a key priority for the Government. Currently, there are 13 completed flood relief schemes schemes in the Shannon River basin and these schemes are already providing protection to more than 2,600 properties. A further 36 schemes will be delivered as part of the Government’s €1.3 billion investment in flood relief measures over the lifetime of the NDP. Some 24 of these schemes are currently being progressed, including in Athlone and Springfield, which are currently at construction stage. When completed, all schemes will protect 95% of properties identified as being at significant risk from flooding in the Shannon basin. On a day-to-day basis, water levels on the Shannon River are managed in accordance with agreed protocols between Waterways Ireland and the ESB. Waterways Ireland manages water levels for navigation purposes while the ESB manages water levels for the purposes of electricity generation. The ESB manages those levels on three lakes, Lough Allen, Lough Ree and Lough Derg, and Waterways Ireland manages water levels at the intermediate water control infrastructure between the lakes. Waterways Ireland and the ESB monitor weather forecasts and uses water level reading instrumentation to make informed decisions around sluice opening and closing procedures while remaining within the agreed protocols.

While these operations influence the water levels on the Shannon, the levels cannot be fully controlled, especially when the Shannon Callows are in flood. The Shannon flood risk State agency co-ordination group last met on 11 October 2023 and discussed a range of issues relating to work under way to assist with flood risk management along the River Shannon. This includes a project for the removal of the pinch points through the Callows region between Athlone and Meelick weir. The Shannon Callows includes two sites designated under European legislation, the River Shannon Callows special area of conservation, SAC, and the Middle Shannon Callows special protection area, SPA. Ireland, like all EU member states, is bound by the requirements of the EU habitats and birds directives and no work can commence in the absence of all appropriate consents being granted. A steering group is in place to oversee the pinch points project. A tender will issue shortly for an ecological consultant to carry out a high level environmental study. The study will consider the possible impacts of the excavation of material at key locations in the River Shannon channel; the long-term maintenance of the riverbed; and changes in water levels.

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