TDs call for one agency to handle floods

An urgent review of water levels on the River Shannon and the need for one agency to oversee emergency flooding plans have been recommended in an Oireachtas report.

Farmers yesterday told TDs how families and communities along the river were suffering “terribly” after recent floods and damage to crops and lands.

The Oireachtas Committee on the Environment will now press ministers in charge of flood prevention to act on a series of recommendations to protect lands.

Ciaran Lynch, the committee chairman, said: “The most immediate priority is to stop flooding, to have one organisation assume ownership of the problem, to ensure the free-flow of water on the Shannon, to maintain water levels at appropriate levels, and to protect the river banks in all their aspects — agri-cultural, ecological, economic, and social.”

TDs from the Midlands and the West have called for a review of water levels on the Shannon and its tributaries. Some claimed the ESB was purposely maintaining high levels of water in areas to generate as much energy as possible.

The committee wants the removal of silt from the river as well as an early warning and river forecast system that would help trigger emergency responses.

Areas of bogland along the Shannon should also be identified that could be utilised as flood plains, their report stated.

Roscommon TD Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan questioned where funds for the river plan would come from and whether ministers would address the concerns. “I won’t hold my breath,” he said.

Fine Gael’s Denis Naughton also pointed out that water extraction from the river to meet Dublin’s needs could help limit future flooding.

He said co-operation with the national park and wildlife services had been a “hurdle” during attempts to prevent flooding.

Michael Silke of the Irish Farmers’ Association said the effects of flooding on farming were “frightening”.

The group’s flood management chairman claimed the ESB was holding back large amounts of water, particularly on Lough Ree.

TDs agreed there was a need to reduce water levels and to prevent summer floods. Brian Hayes, the minister in charge of flood prevention, will meet with farmers today about their concerns.

He said he had not yet seen the report. He said he would look at which agency should set water levels on the river and that he was also determined that the Office of Public Works, under his remit, could help.

“We do need to see better governance of the river and we also need to put in place immediate measures that will help,” Mr Hayes said.