Written answers

Wednesday, 18 February 2009

8:00 pm

Photo of Denis NaughtenDenis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 67: To ask the Minister for Finance the steps he is taking to address the summer 2008 flooding in the Shannon Callows; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6097/09]

Photo of Martin ManserghMartin Mansergh (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)
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The Shannon Callows are prone to annual winter flooding and to periodic summer flooding, affecting both farming and environmental interests, including EU protected species. The exceptional rainfall in 2008 exacerbated the flooding in the area, which is caused mainly by the extremely flat gradient of the river. This makes it very difficult to devise a cost-effective solution. I saw the problem at first hand when I visited the area with my officials on 12 September last, in the company of the IFA President, Pádraig Walshe, and local farmers and public representatives.

The Office of Public Works carried out some clearance of vegetation in the area in early summer 2007, which, although not sufficient to prevent the flooding last year, is generally acknowledged to have improved the situation. This work was carried out with the agreement of the National Parks and Wildlife Service, and in consultation with other stakeholders.

There is a proposal to remove silt from the Shannon Cut to try to improve the situation further. Although 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 and environmentally acceptable manner. Preliminary discussions with the National Parks and Wildlife Service have raised a number of issues. OPW is endeavouring to arrange a meeting of the various stakeholders at the earliest possible date, with a view to securing agreement to proceed with the pilot project.

The long-term management of summer flooding of the Callows will have to have regard to the availability of resources in addition to environmental constraints, and these issues will be considered in the course of the development of a Flood Risk Management Plan for the Shannon River Basin, which will be prepared in accordance with the EU Floods Directive.

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