Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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378. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to report on his meetings with the national co-ordination group for response to flooding and with those agencies responsible for the River Shannon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10021/16]

Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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During the flooding event of last Winter, the National Emergency Co-ordination Committee, chaired by the then Department of Environment, Community and Local Government met on a daily basis to co-ordinate at a national level the response to the flooding event. Mr. Simon Harris T.D., Minister with responsibility for the Office of Public Works during that time, was appraised daily on the work of this Committee and also attended the Committee on a number of occasions.

I am very aware of the impact of flooding and the risk of flooding on communities. I am also conscious that it requires a cross-sectoral approach to effectively manage the risk. One of my first and early tasks will be to convene a further meeting of the Interdepartmental Flood Policy Co-ordination Committee to get an update on the progress being made towards a report for Government ona range of flood risk management policy initiatives by mid-2016.

The Government also decided on 5 January 2016 to establish the Shannon Flood State Agency Co-ordination Working Group to enhance on-going co-operation across all of the State Agencies involved with the River Shannon. The Group is comprised of the following membership and comes under the chairmanship of the Office of Public Works:

- Office of Public Works;

- Local Authorities, represented by the City and County Management Association;

- Waterways Ireland;

- Electricity Supply Board;

- Inland Fisheries Ireland;

- Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht;

- Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government;

- Bord na Móna;

- Environmental Protection Agency;

- Irish Water.

The Attorney General’s Office and other Government Departments may also participate, as requested by the Chairman.

The Group has met on three occasions and has conducted an audit of the roles and responsibilities of State Agency organisations and has published its Shannon Flood Risk Work Programme for 2016. This Work Programme which is available on sets out co-ordinated actions and activities for the Shannon catchment. The Group is also considering in co-operation with the Attorney General’s Office the development of appropriate guidance that will set out more clearly the rights and responsibilities of non-statutory bodies.

The Group has held an open day on its Work Programme in Athlone on 5 May 2016 and is holding further open days on Friday 3 June, 2016, in Áras an Chontae, Leitrim County Council, Carrick on Shannon, Co. Leitrimand on Friday 10 June, 2016 in City Hall, Merchant’s Quay, Limerick City and County Council, Limerick.

I look forward to meeting with the representatives of this Group and all stakeholders that can help to feasibly manage Ireland’s flood risk.