Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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740. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the legislation that governs the water level of the Shannon as controlled by the ESB; and if the ESB has discretion over the water level on the River Shannon between September and December, or if this is determined by legislation. [21134/16]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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ESB’s statutory responsibilities in relation to the matters referred to by the Deputy are set out in the Shannon Electricity Act 1925, the Electricity Supply Act 1927 and the Electricity (Supply) (Amendment) Act 1934. That legislation establishes the Shannon Scheme which consists of a power station and associated dam and headrace at Ardnacrusha, along the Parteen weir and associated embankments.

I am advised that other than an obligation to maintain a certain minimum level in Lough Ree there are no statutory levels set out in the above legislation.  

We have committed under the Programme for Government to providing €430million, as part of the Capital Plan, for flood mitigation initiatives to protect threatened localities from river and coastal flood risk. This investment means the new Government will spend more on flood relief over the next 5 years than has been spent in the last 20. The introduction of a new Flood Risk Management programme by the OPW will put in place a long-term plan of works to systematically identify and mitigate the risk of flooding across the country, providing a proactive plan for at-risk areas.

In addition, the Shannon Catchment Flood Risk Implementation and Coordination Group, involving all relevant agencies including ESB, has published a work plan. The Group will oversee the implementation of viable flood management measures to respond to the 66 areas along the Shannon at risk of flooding.