Donegal Sinn Féin Senator Pádraig Mac Lochlainn will today outline a wide range of supports that are still required from Government following the devastating floods in Inishowen last August.
Speaking in the Seanad, he will also outline some of the next steps that will be needed from Government to prevent flooding as much as possible in the future.
Ahead of today’s debate, Senator Mac Lochlainn said:
“I have raised the issue of the need for Government support to rebuild Swan Park in Buncrana and Glenevin Waterfall in Clonmany every week in the Seanad since it returned as well as tabling questions to a range of Ministers. This and much more is needed from the Government.
“Today, in the Seanad, on the back of my representations, there will be statements on flood prevention measures with the Minister of State at the Office of Public Works and Flood Relief, Kevin Boxer Moran present.
“I will be raising the following issues with the Minister:
- “The need for urgent Government financial support to rebuild Swan Park in Buncrana and Glenevin Waterfall in Clonmany,
- “The need for a new partnership approach between the Office of Public Works, Inland Fisheries Ireland and the National Parks and Wildlife Service with farmers and local authorities to ensure the proper maintenance of our rivers and streams. This will include regular cutting back of trees, realignment of rivers where necessary; and dredging at appropriate locations,
- “The need for a range of flood defences to be commenced and completed across Donegal. In particular, flood defences at Burnfoot village.
- “The need for clarification on the funding of sporting organisations that were affected by the floods, particularly Cockhill Celtic FC in Buncrana.
- “The need for the Minister for Agriculture to put in place adequate financial aid for potato growers and crop growers that were devastated by the floods. The losses of one Donegal potato grower is estimated at €300,000 with no compensation to date. And the need for the Minister to meet local farming organisations in Donegal to address their concerns about the funding shortfalls.
- “The need for fast-tracked investment in water and sewerage infrastructure across Donegal, particularly at locations vulnerable to flooding.
- “The need for an enhanced L.I.S package and a one-off special roads fund for Donegal to reflect the wide-spread damage from the recent floods to private roads and lanes across the Inishowen and East Donegal area”.
He concluded: “Despite the talk of “once in a hundred year” floods over recent years. We in Donegal have seen communities flooded again and again. Finn Valley, Kilmacrennan, Kerrykeel, Ramelton, Letterkenny Hospital and now Inishowen and East Donegal.
“It is shocking that after all these floods in Donegal and across the State, that the European Commission has had to launch infringement procedures against the Irish Government because the Flood Risk Management Plans that were due to be submitted to the commission in 2015 have still not been received.
“The lessons have to be learned and our Government need to seriously get their act together”.
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