Louis O'Hara (Galway East, Sinn Fein)
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9. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to improve the management of the River Shannon; his plans to tackle the issue of flooding in the Shannon Callows; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59983/25]

Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)
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The Shannon flood risk State agency co-ordination group was established by the Government in 2016 to enhance the ongoing co-operation of all State agencies involved with the River Shannon and to introduce co-ordinated solutions that may have a benefit in managing flood risk in the Shannon catchment. The group is focused on prioritising actions and activities that can help manage flood risk along the River Shannon.

A programme of strategic maintenance for 24 sites along the River Shannon has been approved by the group and Waterways Ireland is carrying out this work on its behalf. I announced that funding of €2 million is available for such maintenance. I have asked my officials to engage with other key stakeholders along the Shannon to identify further sites that they believe may require maintenance.

The group approved the appointment of an ecological consultant to carry out high-level environmental studies in relation to a proposed project of the removal of pinch points along the Shannon Callows. The findings of this study highlight that significant environmental assessment is required to fully assess the impact of any such project. The group has established a dedicated working group to consider next steps, including the consideration of further options to address flood risk on the Shannon Callows.

In 2016, the group agreed to introduce the protocol to reduce the levels on Lough Allen. The ESB has obtained a section 21 licence under the wildlife Acts from the National Parks and Wildlife Service to continue with the temporary operation of the protocol to reduce the lake levels on Lough Allen for this coming winter period.

The group also produces an annual work programme to identify extensive work and the co-ordination under way to manage the Shannon. The plan encompasses phase works, maintenance, management, policy and planning.

The group’s website, rivershannongroup.ie, was recently launched. The website contains information on the significant programme of flood relief schemes that the OPW is progressing in partnership with local authorities. This programme protects communities in the Shannon catchment and provides real-time information on the management of water levels by ESB and Waterways Ireland. Minutes of the meetings of the group and plans can also be found on the website.

I remain fully committed to working with the group and key stakeholders to improve the management of flood risk on the River Shannon.

Louis O'Hara (Galway East, Sinn Fein)
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As the Minister of State knows, the ongoing flooding on the Shannon Callows is causing huge issues for farmers and landowners. It is a problem that is getting worse and worse each year as time goes by. It is having a severe impact on the livelihoods of the people affected. There are hundreds of families affected by this and it has caused devastation. For example, in 2023, farmers lost everything as land was flooded through the summer. In recent weeks, there has been severe flooding again, impacting on land and livestock. People in the local area feel that this problem is now almost out of control. They are frustrated as they do not believe strong enough efforts have been taken to tackle this situation. In particular, there has been a lack of investment between Meelick and Athlone to take out the pinch points and a lack of ongoing river maintenance to get the situation under control. A reduction in the water levels of the lakes along the Shannon, such as Lough Allen, Lough Derg and Lough Ree, should be looked at, especially at times when we can expect a lot of rain. Will the Minister of State outline any specific plans in this regard?

Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)
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I did outline plans, Deputy. As I said, a total of 24 strategic maintenance works will be carried out over the next number of months. Since I resumed my role in the Office of Public Works, I have put forward a number of changes, particularly with regard to the minor works scheme, where local authorities play a key role. I changed the criteria from €750,000 to €2 million. That gives a greater role for the local authority to come to my Department to seek funding to do works, particularly for the areas mentioned in the Deputy's question.

I know the issues regarding the River Shannon at first hand. I know the trauma they cause people. I must also point out, as the Deputy mentioned, that the area of Athlone and Meelick is almost flat. It is only a foot of a fall. We are after having so much rain over the last number of days and levels are rising. I understand the concern from the farmers up and down the callow system, but I assure the Deputy that I am doing everything within my power, working with the agencies that are involved, to alleviate the problem for people.

It is not easy. Climate change is having a real effect. People talk about what has happened over 40 years, but 40 years on, we see the difference from climate change and the effect it has had. I am working, and continue to work, with all agencies but particularly with the farming community along the Shannon. If you look at what we have done from Athlone right down to Limerick and all the flood schemes that are in place, that is enormous, as are the other works being carried out.

I also should say to the Deputy that I announced a vegetation blockage and cleaning scheme. Funding can be sought from my Department for such works. That is open.

Louis O'Hara (Galway East, Sinn Fein)
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I appreciate the Minister of State's response and commitment to this. Obviously, the issue is that this problem is continuing to get worse and my constituents who are speaking to me do not feel that enough is being done to maintain the river to address those pinch points to get water levels under control. I know that the Minister of State is meeting with the Save our Shannon Organisation, which represents local people affected by this, in the coming days or weeks. These people know the river better than anyone, having lived and worked alongside it for years. They have an important stake and voice in this and, crucially, they want to be at the table where decisions are being made. They need to be included in the Shannon flood risk agency co-ordination group, which is chaired by the Minister of State. They should not be excluded from this group when they are the ones most affected by this flooding. Will this be facilitated? Can the Save our Shannon Organisation be included in that group?

Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)
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I have responsibility for the Shannon from one end to the other. I meet many different groups and I understand fully where everyone is coming from. As I said to the Deputy at the outset, we all have to work together. The flooding of the Shannon onto a flat surface is a major problem arising from climate change. I met the group the Deputy mentioned after taking up my role. I will meet it again next week and I will set out what we are going to do over the next number of months.

When I was in government previously, I undertook huge changes to the Shannon in terms of strategic maintenance. We put machines on the river when a machine had not been on the river for a great number of years, or ever. As the former Deputy Denis Naughten said, there had not been one since Queen Victoria left. We achieved it and we did it. I can honestly say that in my five years of absence, very little machine work happened on the Shannon, but I am now back at the helm and I will work to make sure we deliver. I will try to work with the local community, particularly the farmers.

I have a role to play from one end of the Shannon to the other. The changes I have made are significant in bringing forward and helping local businesses, the local farming community and householders. We all need to work together. Everyone is jumping up and down on social media blaming the OPW and the Government. The Minister on my right has given me the money to do the work, but there are environmental things I must adhere to. The Deputy knows that if I went in and did the opposite, like what happened in Lough Funshinagh, we would back to the drawing board and nothing would get done. It is about us all working together with the Save our Shannon Organisation and every other organisation to deliver for the communities.