Mr. Eugene Dwyer, Head of Roads and Infrastructure gave a Presentation to the members on the CFRAM Programme and the Flood Risk Management Plans:

·         National Flood Risk Plan with 40,000 maps, 4,000km of Waterways (1,000km is River Shannon), affecting 18,000 properties and proposals for 118 new schemes to provide protection for 11,000 properties nationally.

·         Ten year programme of €1billion in investment in flood relief measures

·         A first tranche of €257m for 50 flood relief schemes does not include Roscommon schemes.

·         Recommendations include proactive, catchment based approach to flood risk management plans

·         The Plans were approved by Minister for PER in April 2018, reported to the EU Commission, website www.floodinfo.ie launched in May 2018 and are now submitted to Councils for consideration.

·         Twenty-nine flood risk management plans published and four of the river basins affect Roscommon

·         The preliminary flood risk assessments identify 37 communities as being at potentially significant flood risk in the Upper and Lower Shannon of which 6 are in County Roscommon

·         Six towns were identified as Areas for Further Assessment (AFA’s):

o   Athleague – New flood defence wall 190m and embankment of 390 meters

o   Athlone – all of the works proposed are in Co. Westmeath (1.038km flood defence walls, 2.29km embankment & 16m floodgate

o   Boyle – a 300m flood defence wall

o   Castlerea – no action works proposed

o   Cortober –  1,799m flood defence walls, 846m embankments and 2m floodgate

o   Roscommon – 2,065m of flood defence walls and 350m of embankments

·         Aside from the plan, there is still in operation the Minor Works programme ongoing

·         The Department will look at the rural areas not covered in CFRAM –Part 2

·         CFRAM does not include turloughs

·         Local Authorities have a three-month period in which to adopt the plan and 1 month to advise of the decision.

The members welcomed the presentation as raised the following observations and issues:

o   There needs to be a maintenance and drainage programme for the River Shannon as dredging is urgently required.

o   Extreme weather events are becoming more prevalent and must be taken into account.

o   Disappointment that turloughs are not included in the study.

o   Ratification of the CFRAM Plan should only be considered if it does not affect the current minor works programme

o   Will the assessment in Castlerea be carried out? There is an ongoing implication for flood insurance that people cannot get.

o   What are the differences between CFRAM and CAS maps?

o   There must be a plan to reduce the peat escaping from Bord na Mona and the danger of contamination of groundwater.

o   Huger reservations about the plan as there had been no real maintenance done on the Cross or Suck rivers and all are draining into the River Shannon which has up to nine foot of sludge at the bottom.

o   Investment in Flood Relief Schemes should have the same priority as the Roads programme

o   Nothing in the report about Lough Fuinshinagh. The floods have not gone down and affect 20/30 farmers and we are still waiting from a report from the Department. This has led to substantial loss of income for those affected.

o   Concern about building walls as a solution – visual impact of walls and should only be erected when required as there are many such solutions available including demountable walls.

o   How quickly will works actually commence and is Part 8 planning required for all works?

o   This is still only a Plan and no actual works ready to be carried out.

o   Please explain the works on the River Jiggy where the is a continuous flood at the railway crossing?

o   Work with community and amenity groups in relation to where embankments are to be constructed.

Mr. Dwyer replied to the points raised as follows:

·         There have been a number of agencies involved in the preparations including two sub committees. There have been extensive studies on the flow of the River Shannon from Lough Allen and the flood risks is very high that have to dealt with. Work is ongoing to get a maintenance programme for the river.

·         It is envisaged that rural areas will be included in the next iteration of the plans.

·         The C.E. Mr. Cummins has instructed that a brief now be prepared to seek a solution for the Lough Fuinshinagh situation. 50% of the works is the responsibility of the landowners.

·         The €90k spent by the Council annually on drainage works is not enough

·         Roads Section have met with Iarnrod Eireann and OPW in relation to the Flooding at the railway crossing and a scheme is to be submitted next month.

·         The Castlerea maps are the ones approved by the Department.

·         Turloughs are not included but should be pushed hard for inclusion in the next plans.

·         All schemes will be subject to planning and the visual issues will be dealt with at that time.

·         Tarmonbarry and Rooskey did not meet the criteria for inclusion

On the PROPOSAL of Councillor Naughten

                SECONDED by Councillor Keogh

It was AGREED to seek additional funding for the drainage of the River Shannon

On the PROPOSAL of Councillor Leyden

                SECONDED by Councillor Connolly

It was AGREED that Roscommon County Council prepare an annual maintenance programme for rivers in the county and seek Departmental funding for same.

On the PROPOSAL of Councillor Naughten

                SECONDED by Councillor Cummins

It was AGREED to adopt the Flood Risk Management Plans - CFRAM