Government's flooding group to hold Athlone open day

 

The Shannon Flood Risk State Agency Co-Ordination Working Group is holding an open day tomorrow (Thursday) in Athlone to discuss its work programme for the year.

The open day will take place in the Civic Offices of Westmeath County Council from 11am to 3pm.

The Shannon Flood Risk State Agency Co-ordination Working Group was established by the Government after the traumatic floods of last winter to enhance on-going co-operation across all of the State Agencies involved with the River Shannon.

It is chaired by Clare McGrath, Chairman of the Office of Public Works.
The establishment of the group was met with much criticism by those seeking a single authority over the River Shannon. It has been argued that the formation of the group effectively replicates the existing working arrangements between the agencies.

The Shannon Flood Risk State Agency Co-ordination Working Group already met in Athlone, when it held its second meeting in Athlone Civic Offices, on March 14.

At that time, Clare McGrath stated “the working group is building on the existing work and commitment of all the State Agencies involved in flood risk. It is focussed on ensuring the best possible level of co-ordination between all statutory bodies involved in flood management on the Shannon. The Group is solutions focussed, designed to deliver the highest level of efficiencies to add value to the Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme.”

At its meeting in Athlone the group finalised its Shannon Flood Risk Work Programme for 2016. This Work Programme provides a focus and prioritises actions and activities to manage flood risk for the Shannon catchment
The public work programme includes the following local actions:

- Minor work on the River Al by Westmeath County Council (budget €26,500). This work is carried out during the summer every year.
- Raising of roads in Carrickobrien, Golden Island and Muckanagh by Westmeath County Council. No funding or deadline given.
- Work by Irish Water for an interim upgrade of Athlone Waste Water Treatment Plant to start in mid 2016 and to be completed by the end of 2017.
- Work by Roscommon County Council to clean the Cross River during the summer
- Work by Inland Fisheries on the Lecarrow River.

Members of the Shannon Flood Risk State Agency Co-ordination Working Group are at CEO level or equivalent with the following state agencies: Office of Public Works, Local Authorities, represented by the City and County Managers Association, Waterways Ireland, Electricity Supply Board, Inland Fisheries Ireland, Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Bord na Mona, Environment Protection Agency, Irish Water