Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 163: To ask the Minister for Finance the steps he proposes to take, in conjunction with the Office of Public Works, to alleviate the suffering and hardship caused to farmers in the Shannon Callows region of County Offaly, who have suffered loss and damage due to extensive flooding in this area for most of the year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9886/09]

Martin Mansergh (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)
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Having visited the Shannon callows last year and met those affected by flooding in the area, I am conscious of the serious impact of the flooding on farming and on the environment in the area. Due to exceptionally heavy rainfall, the problem in 2008 was more severe than the normal summer flooding in the callows. The extremely flat gradient of the river, together with the environmentally protected status of the location, makes it difficult to devise a cost-effective solution. The Office of Public Works has cleared some vegetation in the area. Although it was not sufficient to prevent the flooding last year, it 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. The OPW has agreed to remove silt from the Shannon cut to test the impact of this measure on the situation, as long as it would be possible to do so in a cost-effective and environmentally acceptable manner. The OPW has serious reservations about how effective this proposal would be. The National Parks and Wildlife Service raised a number of conditions in respect of this proposal, which would impact significantly on its timescale and cost. The OPW is continuing to seek an acceptable solution to these issues, in conjunction with the various stakeholders involved. The long-term management of the summer flooding of the callows will need to have regard to the availability of resources, in addition to environmental constraints. 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.