Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour) | Oireachtas source

On behalf of the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Hayes, I thank Senator Higgins for giving me the opportunity to address the issue of flood relief measures with regard to flooding problems in the Shannon Callows and south Galway. The Government is addressing the flooding issues at both locations and has made significant funding available to Galway County Council to implement localised measures in south Galway.

Due to the history of flooding in south Galway, and because of its particular geological formations such as karst limestone, the Office of Public Works commissioned a major flood study of the region in 1998. The outcome of the overall study was that while a number of engineering solutions would alleviate some of the flooding problems in the area, none of the proposals were found to be economically viable on the basis of standard cost benefit analysis. In addition, the environmental impacts of some of the proposals were unacceptable, and the OPW could not recommend proceeding with any of the proposals without further investigation. The south Galway steering committee was established to consider what works could be carried out. A review of the south Galway flood study report was completed in 2011 and recommended structural and non-structural proposals. Non-structural measures included planning controls, the monitoring of flows at key locations and refining of the calibration models. Structural proposals included engineering solutions at various locations in the area.

Since the introduction of the Office of Public Works minor flood mitigation and coastal protection scheme in 2009, the OPW has approved funding of €5.8 million to Galway County Council under the scheme, more than a quarter of which, or approximately €1.5 million, has been allocated to projects in the south Galway area. These include projects in Oranmore, Kiltartan, Gort, Loughrea and Kinvara.

With regard to flood relief in the Dunkellin area, Galway County Council, in consultation with the OPW, has appointed engineering and environmental consultants to design a flood relief scheme. The council is being funded by the OPW and will progress the scheme through An Bord Pleanála under the strategic infrastructure legislation. It is envisaged that if a viable scheme can be identified, and on completion of the required environmental impact statement, the proposals will be submitted formally to An Bord Pleanála for consideration. The environmental issues associated with the scheme works are extremely complex, due in part to the geology of the area, and the local authority and its consultants are continuing in their efforts to resolve these issues in consultation with the National Parks and Wildlife Service. It is anticipated that the scheme will be submitted by Galway County Council to An Bord Pleanála for approval in the next month or so.

With regard to the Shannon Callows, I assure the Senator the Minister of State, Deputy Hayes, is very conscious of the serious impact on farming and the environment in the Callows area due to flooding. He recognises that the Shannon Callows is a very important asset to the farming community and the traditional farming practices are recognised as contributing to the economic, social and environmental management of this unique area. In general, 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 or the Upper Shannon from Lough Ree, or a combination of both. The inflow from the River Brosna also contributes to flooding in this area.

The ongoing catchment flood risk assessment and management study, CFRAMS, for the River Shannon involves a comprehensive examination of all the main factors affecting flood risk in the Shannon area and incorporates a full consultation with all of the main stakeholders who have a role in the management of the Shannon, including the ESB, Waterways Ireland and relevant local authorities. Last year, following consultation between the OPW, Waterways Ireland and the ESB, the ESB began a trial reduction of existing target water levels on Lough Ree. This decision was taken to try to help alleviate seasonal flooding in the Callows. This will remain in place until the publication of the flood risk management plan for the Shannon catchment. It will provide for a lowering of the spring to early summer target levels in Lough Ree. By increasing the storage capacity in Lough Ree, this change may somewhat reduce the risk of summer flooding in the Callows.

In addition, and also with the co-operation of the ESB and Waterways Ireland, the OPW has facilitated a water level monitoring exercise as part of the CFRAMS process, which will allow for analysis of water flows and levels at key points around the Lough Ree and Callows areas. I assure the Senator that the Minister of State, Deputy Hayes, is fully aware of the flooding issues in the Shannon Callows and south Galway and I assure her that both issues are being comprehensively addressed.