The Cathaoirleach welcomed the Members to this Special Meeting of the Council to receive an update on the situation at Lough Funshinagh.

The Chief Executive confirmed the Council remains committed to finding a solution to alleviate the flooding since the High Court challenge to the works that commenced this summer.

Director of Services, Mr.Shane Tiernan outlined the details of the Chief Executive Order R/178/21 signed this afternoon for Proposed Interim Emergency Flood Relief Works at Lough Funshinagh:

Having read and considered the following, the Chief Executive agrees with the conclusions and recommendations of the reports:

·          High Court Order made on 25^th August 2021, Report and recommendation of Director of Services dated 14^th October 2021, report and recommendation of A/Senior Engineer dated 14^th October 2021, Screening for Appropriate Assessment Report of Malachy Walsh and Partners (MWP) Oct 2021 and Screening for Environmental Impact Assessment Report of MWP October 2021.

·         The Order details the characteristics of the lake, the water levels of the lake and in particular the recent water levels as a result of flooding since 2015.

·         Mitigation works carried out to prevent flooding of properties including raising road levels and emergency pumping.

·         In 2020 one of the properties was lost to flooding.

·         Details of an Ecological Review of Flood Protection Options report carried out by MPW in May 2020 and subsequent confirmation from OPW in August 2020 that proposed schemes had not met cost or sustainability requirements necessary for funding.

·         Details of flooding in winter of 2020-2021 and record levels reached by the lake

·         Following a report from Director of Services in May 2021, an Order was signed by the Chief Executive under the Local Government Works Act 1949 authorising the Council to commence urgent relief works by diverting water in excess of 66mOD into a watercourse flowing to the River Shannon and works commenced on 6^th June by OPW.

·         On 13th August the High Court granted leave to Friends of the Irish Environment to review the validity of the Order and on 25^th August the Council consented to a final court order and submitted a remediation plan to reinstate the earthworks.

·         Since the proceedings, the risk has not reduced and current water levels indicate the lake will breach the road levels and a minimum of 3 houses will be lost, with a further 3 at risk. The roads cannot be raised any more.

·         Roscommon County Council retained MWP to prepare a scheme without any significant impact on any Natura 2000 site or the environment. They prepared a significantly scaled back scheme with screening for environmental impact assessment and screening for appropriate assessment.

·         In signing the Order, The Chief Executive is satisfied that the Emergency Works are in full compliance with the High Court Order of 25^th August and all relevant planning and environmental legislation.

The Chief Executive added that:

·         The emergency works are classified as exempted development under Section 4 of the Planning Act and planning permission is not required, an  ...  view the full minutes text for item 105.21