Floods: Calls for lead authority to manage River Shannon

As residents battled floodwaters for a second week, Fine Gael TD Gabrielle McFadden said she wants a single lead authority for the River Shannon.

Water levels in Athlone rose by 30mm overnight on Sunday and have now almost reached peak levels as forecast by the ESB for Athlone last week.

Ms McFadden, who is based in Athlone, brought Enterprise Minister Richard Bruton on a tour of some of the flood defences yesterday. She said the River Shannon would be better managed by one authority, adding that “too many cooks spoil the broth”.