Minister Patrick O’Donovan attends the meeting of the Shannon Flood Risk State Agency Co-ordination Working Group

Patrick O’Donovan T.D., Minister of State for the Office of Public Works (OPW) and Flood Relief attended the meeting of the Shannon Flood Risk State Agency Co-ordination Working Group on Thursday, 25 March. The meeting was attended by the State Agencies involved with the River Shannon and discussions took place on a broad range of areas related to managing flood risk along the River Shannon.

The Group was updated on progress on the delivery of flood relief schemes for the Shannon River Basin District (RBD) that will protect properties at risk against a 1 in 100-year flood event. There are 11 communities in the Shannon RBD that are benefitting from flood relief schemes that are protecting people and properties from the risk of flooding. A further 38 flood relief schemes in the Shannon area will be delivered under the Government’s €1bn investment in flood relief measures over the lifetime of the National Development Plan 2018 – 2027.

The Minister said,

“I am delighted that Flood relief schemes in Ennis and Athlone are now at an advanced stage and it is expected that these will be completed shortly. Planning permission has been obtained for the construction of a flood relief scheme for Springfield, Co. Clare and work will commence on this scheme in the coming months. In addition, an application has been lodged with An Bord Pleanála for the construction of a major flood relief scheme at King’s Island in Limerick City”.

The Group finalised and published its Work Programme for 2021 which includes an extensive range of activities by the Group both individually and collectively, to help manage flood risk along the River Shannon. The Work Programme facilitates proactive co-ordination among the State Agencies involved to jointly manage flood risk along the River Shannon.

The Group has a €7m investment programme to implement a co-ordinated strategic programme of maintenance activities for the River Shannon and for the removal of a number of constrictions through the Callows region. The proposed works can delay flooding and can also benefit navigation and agricultural lands.

The Minister said,

“Waterways Ireland is advancing these measures and expects to commence work on some of them later this year when the environmental window permits. Some of the more complex measures will be subject to environmental assessments and planning consent to proceed and work is underway on the preparation of the applications for the necessary consents and planning permissions required”.

The Group is continuing to explore and introduce additional flood risk solutions that can be of benefit. The Group has already introduced a pilot to reduce the lake levels on Lough Allen and targeted maintenance has been undertaken at five locations. The Group has also examined the cause, rate and degree of restriction over time in the Lower Shannon and work is underway to explore the potential solutions, benefits and indicative costs of the various options.

-ENDS-

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Notes to Editors

The Shannon Flood Risk State Agency Co-ordination Working Group was established by the Government in January 2016 to enhance on-going co-operation across all of the State Agencies involved with the River Shannon. It held its first meeting on 1 February 2016 and has met on 14 occasions since that time.

Membership

Members of the Group are at CEO level or equivalent representing the following State Agencies:

• The Office of Public Works

• Local Authorities, represented by the County and City Management Association

• Waterways Ireland

• Electricity Supply Board

• Inland Fisheries Ireland

• Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage

• Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

• Bord na Móna

• Environmental Protection Agency

• Irish Water

The terms of reference for the Group are available at Shannon Flood Risk State Agency Co-ordination Working Group

Meetings of the Group

Documentation, including the Agenda, Minutes and other material relating to each meeting of the Group is available at Shannon Flood Risk State Agency Co-ordination Working Group Meetings