Posted on January 5, 2016
Projects to ease the flooding situation along the river Shannon may require the Government to breach EU habitats directives on wildlife, a Government Minister has said.
Taoiseach Enda Kenny will convene a meeting next Tuesday of all the State agencies with responsibility for the Shannon, along its length.
The meeting in Government Buildings will seek to identify temporary solutions for the 66 towns and communities along the river which remain vulnerable to flooding during extreme weather incidents.
Dredging
Among the solutions which have been mooted are dredging and engineering works including flood barriers.
Some are likely to have an impact on EU directives that protect bird and fish life along the river and its catchment areas. Protected species include salmon, sea lamprey, corncrakes and kingfishers.
“Some of the suggestions will breach the EU directives,” said Minister of State for the OPW Simon Harris.
“We have a humanitarian crisis in some areas and in those instances protecting those communities may trump any EU directive that is in force.
