Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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11. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the steps he is taking to implement the recommendations in the Joint Committee on the Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht report on Shannon flooding published in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29518/14]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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Two years ago, the Oireachtas Joint Committee on the Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht sat down and agreed a set of eight key priorities to address the flooding issues on the River Shannon. While some progress has been made, it has been very limited. One of the key recommendations in that report was that the OPW be given statutory authority to operate as the lead agency on the River Shannon and that all other organisations should directly consult with it in respect of the Shannon and seek its approval before they take any action. Could the Minister update us?

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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I thank the Deputy for his question. The report of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on the Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht on Shannon flooding dealt with and included recommendations on a number of issues within the areas of responsibilities of a range of Government Departments and State bodies. The OPW responded to the committee by way of a written reply in September 2012 in respect of the specific matters within the OPW's area of responsibility. The main area addressed in the reply related to the Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management, CFRAM, programme and how the OPW is addressing flood risk on the River Shannon in the context of that programme. The committee report was forwarded to the technical consultants undertaking the Shannon CFRAM study on behalf of the OPW for consideration in the context of the study.

The OPW's core strategy for addressing flood risk in the Shannon basin is the River Shannon CFRAM study. I am advised that good progress continues to be made on the project. A total of 66 locations along the Shannon have been identified for further assessment under the study. The output of this important project will be an integrated plan of specific measures to address in a comprehensive and sustainable way the significant flood risk factors in the Shannon basin.

Operational control of water flows and levels on the Shannon is the responsibility of both the ESB and Waterways Ireland. In order to address ongoing concerns that the existing water level control regime may be a contributory factor in early summer flooding in the Callows, these bodies have agreed a new interim control regime for the regulation of water levels. Under this interim regime, the ESB agreed to a trial lowering of the spring and early summer target levels in Lough Ree to reduce somewhat the risk of summer flooding, particularly in the Shannon Callows area. This trial commenced in summer 2013 and will remain in place until the publication of the Shannon CFRAM plan. Further information on the Shannon CFRAM study is available on the Shannon CFRAM study website.

Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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I will allow one supplementary question.

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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I could spend the day asking questions on this. My question concerns the Minister's comment about the pilot lowering of water levels on Lough Ree, something for which we have always argued. The fact that this has taken place is a welcome development, and I commend the former Minister of State, Brian Hayes, on taking the initiative in respect of that. However, the results of that investigation have not been published. Why is this the case? Why can we not see the impact this had last summer? Obviously, if it is remaining in place, it means there have been some positive results. Why has this become a further State secret?

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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I am advised that data from the exercise was collated by the hydrometric section of the OPW and forwarded to the CFRAM consultants, Jacobs Engineering, for analysis as part of the CFRAM study. I am advised that data from this exercise is available on the Shannon CFRAM and OPW websites.

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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And the analysis of same?

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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That is what they are telling me.