Shannon flood management bill 'on legislative long finger'

Independent TD for Laois Offaly Carol Nolan has described an update she has received on the introduction of the River Shannon Management Agency Bill as an acknowledgement that Government will not bring forward the initial text of the bill this month, as previously indicated to her in February.

In early February, then Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works (OPW) Patrick O’Donovan, stated in response to a priority oral question in the Dáil from the Independent TD that he anticipated that the text of the Bill would be brought to the Cabinet in April.

However, in a reply received last week, Deputy Nolan was informed that the River Shannon Management Body Bill remains on the priority legislation list for drafting for Summer 2024:

“We are all aware of the complexity of the issues involved but the fact remains that this bill has been included in the list of Government’s priority legislation every year since 2021. We need sight of the text, and we need a definitive timeline not more ministerial guesswork,” said Deputy Nolan. “We have all seen how bad the situation has gotten recently with respect to the Shannon Callows, which in and of itself clearly indicates the need to prioritise legislation that can give effect to a management model for the river that mitigates the likelihood of future flooding,” concluded Deputy Nolan.

Meanwhile, even if the bill is published before the end of the lifetime of the Government, it's not certain to include a proposal for a standalone agency to manage the Shannon.

Asked if the bill would include an overarching Shannon Management Agency, the OPW replied: “The main purpose of the Bill is to improve flood risk management for the River Shannon catchment.”

“The management of flood risk on the river is closely intertwined with other uses of the river such as for navigation, dam safety and electricity generation. The Office of Public Works (OPW) has conducted 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. Given the powers and functions of the various bodies, the preparation of legislative proposals is complex. The OPW, in line with Government direction, is prioritising this work.”