James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 270: To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to manage the flood levels (details supplied) on the River Shannon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29656/12]

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Operational control of water flows and levels on the Shannon is a matter for both the ESB and Waterways Ireland. The water management protocols operated by these two bodies for the major storage areas in the Shannon system are kept under regular review. I understand that the ESB prepares a water level forecast based on the 5 day rainfall forecast from Met Éireann, and that these forecasts are shared with all local authorities contiguous to the Shannon catchment and with other primary stakeholders.

The assessment and management of flood risk on the River Shannon and all the national river catchments is being addressed through the Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme, which is scheduled to continue until the end of 2015 and will meet the requirements of the EU Floods Directive. Consultants were appointed to undertake the Shannon CFRAM study in January 2011. The objectives of the Study, which involves Advisory and Progress Groups containing Local Authority representatives, are to identify and examine, in detail, the causes of flooding throughout the Shannon catchment and produce an integrated plan of specific measures to address the significant flood risk factors in a pro-active and comprehensive way. Its output will be a flood risk management plan that will take into account economic, social and environmental factors.

Specific updates on the Shannon CFRAM Study are available on http://shannoncframstudy.ie/. Public open days were held in Athlone on 27th and 28th April 2012 as part of a consultative process designed to seek local views on what should be considered when examining solutions for managing flood risk in the future.