James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 102: To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide provision for the opening of the sluice gates on the River Shannon in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford to lower water levels and alleviate serious flooding of the Shannon and Rhynn Rivers, which is causing unprecedented damage to their lands and preventing the making of silage among other problems, resulting in a untenable loss of income; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33784/12]

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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I am advised that the River Rinn forms part of the Rinn and Black Drainage District and the responsibility for maintenance of this Drainage District rests with the relevant local authority, not with the Office of Public Works. The River Rinn flows into Lough Forbes, which is part of the Shannon river system and the nearest sluices on the Shannon downstream of Lough Forbes are at Tarmonbarry. As indicated to the Deputy in my reply of 19 June 2012, the operational control of water flows and levels on the Shannon is a matter for 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 five-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 management of flood risk on the Shannon is being addressed under the Shannon Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management study, which will examine and report on the issue in detail.