Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)
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The management of flood risk on the River Shannon is closely intertwined with other uses of the river such as for navigation, dam safety and electricity generation. Several statutory bodies with a range of legislative responsibilities are currently involved in managing the River Shannon.

The Shannon Flood Risk State Agency Co-ordination Working Group was established by the Government in 2016. The Group supports the ongoing co-operation of all State Agencies involved with the River Shannon and works to introduce co-ordinated solutions that may have benefit in managing flood risk on the Shannon Catchment. Meetings of the Group are held bi-annually. The last meeting of the Group was held on 30 April 2025.

The Group produces an annual work programme, which illustrates the extensive work and co-ordination by all the State Agencies involved, to jointly and proactively help address flood risk on the Shannon. The annual work programme encompasses the following work areas: physical works, maintenance, water management, regulatory, policy and planning.

The Group is also currently progressing a number of initiatives including a long-term strategic maintenance programme to prevent deterioration of the River Shannon and short-term targeted maintenance activities. The current work of the Group includes:

• progressing targeted maintenance for 23 identified locations on the River Shannon to enhance the conveyance capacity of the river and halt further deterioration of the channel,
• a study to examine the benefits of removing constrictions, resulting in lower summer water levels, through the Shannon Callows,
• a study to examine the cause, degree and rate of restriction downstream of Parteen Weir in the Lower Shannon,
• trialling the lowering of the lake levels on Lough Allen to help alleviate any significant flooding that may occur.

Further information, including the State Agencies represented on the Shannon Flood Risk State Agency Coordination Working is available on the Group’s website www.rivershannongroup.ie.

The OPW in partnership with Local Authorities is also progressing a programme of flood relief schemes to address flood risk on the River Shannon. There are currently thirteen completed schemes in the Shannon River Basin District and these schemes are already providing protection to over 2,600 properties. A further 26 flood relief schemes are currently being progressed in the Shannon region, three of which are at construction stage. Eleven other schemes are being progressed directly by local authorities. When completed, the schemes will protect 95% of properties identified as being at significant risk from flooding in the Shannon River Basin District.

Outside of the major flood relief schemes, local flooding issues are being addressed by local authorities with support from the OPW under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme. This scheme provides funding for minor flood mitigation works or studies, costing less than €750,000 each, to address localised flooding and coastal protection problems. To date, the OPW has approved funding of €47m for some 750 projects for the Shannon River Basin District.

Private Members Bills, introduced in January 2016 and October 2020, sought to establish a single body to manage the River Shannon and the Government did not oppose either Bill. In 2020, the Government decided to examine the legislative landscape and review the regulatory environment underpinning management of the River Shannon. The OPW subsequently commissioned an analysis of existing legislation regarding the management of the River Shannon, including a review of the powers of various bodies involved with the river. In this context, the River Shannon Management Body Bill was on the priority list for drafting. However, given the powers and functions of the various bodies involved, the risks and benefits arising from such legislation require further consideration. Accordingly, the River Shannon Management Body Bill is not on the legislative programme for spring 2025.

I am working closely with the Shannon Flood Risk State Agency Coordination Working Group to progress existing planned actions and to identify further possible solutions to mitigate flood risk on the River Shannon. I also intend to further engage with other key stakeholders. Whilst I will continue to work to progress existing measures, and to identify further measures, to mitigate flood risk on the River Shannon, I have not ruled out legislation as a means to progress this important matter and I will keep this under review.