Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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148. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the protocol for the closure of sluice gates in Athlone and the dates in July 2020 that the ESB closed sluice gates in Athlone; the number closed on each date; the protocol for the removal of boards and the opening of sluice gates in Meelick; the dates in July 2020 that Waterways Ireland opened sluice gates and removed boards; the number of boards removed and gates opened on each date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27992/20]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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166. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the protocol for the removal of boards and the opening of sluice gates in Meelick; the dates in July 2020 that Waterways Ireland staff or their agents opened sluice gates and removed boards; and the number of boards removed and gates opened on each date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27993/20]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 148 and 166 together.

The protocol for the closure of sluice gates in Athone is determined by the ESB.

If the sluice gates are closed in Athlone, Waterways Ireland will carry out an appropriate sluice operation in the Meelick area.

Waterways Ireland as the Inland Navigation Authority, operates the sluices and weir boards in the Meelick area. There are 30 sluices south of Banagher. They are on two channels in parallel in the Meelick area with

- 18 sluices on the new cut; and

- 12 sluices on Meelick weir.

Waterways Ireland has stated that the operating procedure is as follows:

When water levels are indicated as being at 2.18 (35.41) metres on the gauge at Banagher and falling, sluices are closed on either the new cut or Meelick weir. This regime continues when all but 3 to 5 sluices are closed and water levels continue to fall. The weir boards are installed on the 57 bays of the weir to maintain water levels for Navigation purposes. The reverse applies when water levels at the gauge at Banagher exceed 2.18 metres and sluices are opened in the Meelick area and the weir boards removed.