Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 64: To ask the Minister for Finance the steps which he is taking to address the summer flooding in the Shannon Callows; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38571/08]

Martin Mansergh (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)
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I am very aware of the problems caused to farmers by the summer flooding in the Shannon Callows this year. I visited the area in September and met with the President of the Irish Farmers' Association and a number of farmers, and saw conditions at first hand. The Deputy will be aware that the rainfall this summer was exceptional, and exacerbated what is an already difficult situation in the Callows, due to the extremely flat gradient of the river, which makes it very difficult to devise a cost-effective solution.

The Office of Public Works has carried out some clearance of vegetation in the area, and the farmers acknowledge that, while that was not sufficient to prevent the flooding this year, it has improved the situation.

There is a proposal to remove silt from the Shannon Cut to try further to improve the situation. While OPW has some reservations as to how effective this will be, it is prepared to undertake a pilot project to test the efficacy of the measure, provided it is possible to do so in a cost-effective manner. Some discussions have taken place with the National Parks and Wildlife Service regarding the granting of a licence for this work. A number of issues have arisen, and OPW is in the process of arranging a meeting with NPWS, the IFA and other stakeholders to discuss the matter. The meeting will be held as soon as possible, and further progress will depend on the outcome.