Vol. 571 No. 4
230 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Finance if he will carry out a survey of the condition of the embankment along the Shannon Estuary on the west Clare coastline; if his Department will take responsibility for their upkeep; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22339/03]
The Commissioners of Public Works have responsibility for the maintenance of certain embankments on the River Shannon. These are located at Islavanna to Clarecastle to Clenagh; from east of Shannon Airport to the county boundary; the tidal embankments on the Creegh river near Dunbeg and a short stretch of embankment at Cloghauninchy.
The commissioners have no responsibility for maintenance of the embankments on the west Clare coastline along the Shannon Estuary. Any proposal to have surveys or works undertaken on these embankments by the commissioners would arise only in the context of their operation as flood defences. Proposals would have to satisfy strict economic and environmental criteria and be considered in the context of the overall flood relief programme. The Office of Public Works is currently working on a number of schemes under the priority flood relief programme and the available financial resources are fully committed for the immediate future.
