Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 619: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if the National Parks and Wildlife Service have approved an application by the Office of Public Works for consent to address flood risk at Clonlara; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14831/08]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 620: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if the National Parks and Wildlife Service have approved an application by the Office of Public Works for the removal of silt from the Shannon Cut; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14832/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 619 and 620 together.

The area downstream of Clonlara, including the Shannon Cut, is part of the Lower River Shannon candidate Special Area of Conservation. This area of river is of high ecological value with valuable salmon and lamprey habitat and alluvial woodland of a type classed as a priority for conservation under the 1992 Habitats Directive.

Both the Directive, and Irish transposing legislation, require a full ecological assessment to be carried out before any works, which risk damaging a protected habitat, may proceed. As the works proposed in this case could result in the cutting of mature trees and the excavation of over 9,000 cubic metres of sand and silt, an appropriate assessment was required.

An OPW-commissioned assessment in 2007 did not fully address the effects of the proposed development on this priority habitat. I understand that a more detailed assessment is now being carried out and the time-frame for completion of this work is a matter for the OPW.