Fianna Fáil Senator Eugene Murphy has called on Minister Charlie McConalogue and Minister of State Patrick O’Donovan and all relevant stakeholders to do everything in their power to find a solution to the on-going flooding at Lough Funshinagh near Rahara.
Senator Murphy raised the issue in the Seanad this week following a recent visit to the area.
“I visited the area at the weekend and to say that this flooding has had a severe impact in the area is an understatement – people are in a desperate situation.
“I know Minister O’Donovan and Minister McConalogue met last week in relation to the matter, and I had a brief meeting with Minister McConalogue this week in relation to it. This is a desperate plea. The Ministers need to get the OPW, Parks and Wildlife, residents and stakeholders together to move this forward. This can be solved.
“The OPW have turned down the proposal to build an outflow drainage pipe at the lake as they claim it could have serious ecological effects on the Turlough. But what about the serious effect the flooding is having on landowners and local residents – they are the victims in all of this. If the water levels keep rising, many of these people will have to be relocated.
“The OPW stated that there was ‘no viable cost effective or sustainable solutions to alleviate flooding’. It is amazing that despite all the experts, from engineers to geologists, no viable solution can be found.
“A solution can be found…It’s simply not good enough to leave things in limbo in this manner,” concluded Senator Murphy.
