River Shannon Management Bill to come before Cabinet in April

Minister of State at the Office of Public Works (OPW) Patrick O’Donovan has confirmed to Independent TD for Laois/Offaly Carol Nolan that the initial text of the River Shannon Management Agency Bill will finally be brought forward in April of this year.

The minister provided the information to Deputy Nolan last week after she raised the matter as a priority oral question in the Dáil.

The Bill had been included in the List of Government’s Priority Legislation for 2021, 2022, and 2023 and 2024.

“At long last we have a definitive date for the introduction of this Bill, which I very much hope will provide a legislative focal point in terms of addressing the flooding that has bedevilled land right along the Shannon and in particular the Shannon Callows,” said Deputy Nolan.

““I understand the issue is complex, and that as the minister has indicated the issues are closely intertwined with other uses of the river such as navigation, dam safety and electricity generation, but it really was pushing the limits of credibility to continually see the Bill on the ‘priority’ list for the better part of four years now.”

“I look forward to continuing my constructive engagement on this matter with the Minister and indeed the OPW, the ESB and all other stakeholders particularly local farmers and landowners,” concluded Deputy Nolan.