merrion street

Clare McGrath, Chairman of the of the Office of Public Works, today (1 February 2016) chaired the first meeting of the Shannon Flood Risk State Agency Co-ordination Working Group.
The Shannon Flood Risk State Agency Co-ordination Working Group was established to enhance on-going co-operation across all of the State Agencies involved with the River Shannon. The membership and full terms of reference are detailed below.
Speaking today, Clare McGrath stated that “the Group has discussed putting together a shared Work Programme for 2016 and is in the process of conducting an audit of roles and responsibilities”.
The Group will build on the existing work and commitment of all the State Agencies involved. It is focussed on ensuring the best possible level of co-ordination between all statutory bodies involved in flood management on the Shannon. The Group is solutions focussed, designed to deliver the highest level of efficiencies to add value to the Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme.
The Chairman concluded that “the Shannon Flood Risk State Agency Co-ordination Working Group will meet again on 14 March 2016 to finalise its Shannon Flood Risk Work Programme 2016 and agree a process for wider consultation including with non-statutory bodies. The minutes and other relevant documentation will be made available following that meeting”.

For further information please contact Colette Davis, OPW Press Officer at 087 947 5552 or colette.davis@opw.ie
Notes to Editors:
Membership of the Shannon Flood Risk State Agency Co-Ordination Working Group:
Members of the Group are at CEO level or equivalent with the following State Agencies:
• Office of Public Works
• Local Authorities, represented by the City and County Managers Association,
• Waterways Ireland
• Electricity Supply Board
• Inland Fisheries Ireland
• Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht
• Bord na Mona
• Environment Protection Agency
• Irish Water
The Attorney General’s Office and other Government Departments may also participate, as requested by the Chairman.
Terms of Reference of the Group:
Informed by the National Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management Programme and in order to further effectively manage and mitigate the flood risk on the Shannon catchment, the Group will:

• Develop and agree a Shannon Flood Risk Work Programme (with identified output KPI’s) to focus and prioritise actions and activities to manage flood risk for the Shannon catchment.
• Provide coordinated direction and guidance to ensure delivery by State agencies, to meet their statutory role, of their constituent work programme in relation to flood risk management.
• Adopt and/or develop guidelines and protocols to inform and/or assist better co-ordination and co-operation by and between State Agencies.
• Informed by an audit of roles and responsibilities in relation to flood risk management on the Shannon catchment, seek clarity on any legal and policy issues to inform its work.
• Consult with other bodies, including voluntary bodies and communities.
• Provide guidance in relation to roles and responsibilities for non-statutory bodies involved in managing flood risk on the Shannon catchment.
• When agreed, monitor and report quarterly on the implementation of the Shannon Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Plan.
• Develop other structures as an efficient approach to progressing and informing its work.