James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to open Lough Ree Sluice Gates, to bring about better management of water levels on the River Shannon and prevent serious flooding in the parishes along the Shannon in County Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1646/13]

James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will ensure that there is better co-operation and co-ordination between the bodies responsible for the maintenance of levels on the Shannon OPW, ESB and Waterways Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1647/13]

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 378 and 379 together.

The Office of Public Works monitors the position in relation to water levels on the Shannon and the on-going progress in respect of the River Shannon Catchment Flood Risk Assessment & Management Study (CFRAM).

Having regard to on-going expressions of concern about the control of water levels on the Shannon, Jacobs Engineering was requested by the OPW to prioritise a formal review of the operating regulations and procedures of the control structures along the river Shannon with the purpose of identifying potential improvements with respect to flood risk management that could be introduced in the short term. This review was carried out in advance of the detailed hydrological analysis and hydraulic modelling which is being addressed within the overall Shannon CFRAM Study.

The Jacobs Report and a non-technical summary of the Report - ‘Understanding Water levels on the River Shannon’ was circulated to all public representatives in the region last autumn and to the CFRAM Steering Group upon which the Longford local authority is represented. In addition, a direct briefing on the Report was made by Jacobs Engineering to the Irish Farmers’ Association and the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht.

Arising from those consultations, it was agreed, to explore the possibility of carrying out a water level monitoring exercise, involving controlled raising and lowering of weir boards at selected locations, subject to favourable hydrological conditions.

The Deputy will be aware that operational control of water flows and levels on the Shannon is a matter for both the ESB and Waterways Ireland. In line with the commitment to ensure continuing co-operation and co-ordination with those bodies, officials of the OPW met with both organisations last week to review the position on water levels and to consider the scheduling of the aforementioned monitoring exercise having regard to existing water management protocols operated by these two bodies for the major storage areas in the Shannon system. It has been agreed to involve the expertise of Jacobs Engineering in order to advance the water monitoring proposal.