Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Charlie McConalogue is set to visit Lough Funshinagh next week in order to meet with farm families who have been affected by flooding at the lake.
Commenting on the visit this week, local Senator Eugene Murphy said the visit would take place on Tuesday next.
“The visit was due to take place some months ago but due to the tragedy in Creeslough in Donegal, the Minister had to cancel and I am now glad that at my request the Minister is arriving on Tuesday,” he said.
“I am hoping that the Minister will call personally to the effected families. I also intend to invite all local councillors along”.
Senator Murphy said there would also be an opportunity later that evening to discuss the matter at an open forum in at the Abbey Hotel. The forum will commence at 7.30 pm and is being organised by Fianna Fáil members locally.
“I am urging all that have an interest in farming or any aspect of rural life to come along and have your say. I intend to drive this rural agenda very strongly at our Parliamentary Party meeting and have been doing so over the past few years,” Senator Murphy added.
“The purpose of this forum is to bring everyone together and take on board what farmers are saying.
“There will be environmental challenges no matter who is in power in the future but we must recognise the efforts already made by the farming community towards a cleaner environment”.
Ahead of the Minister’s visit to the county, Senator Murphy acknowledged the “huge challenges” facing the sheep sector but said he was confident Minister McConalogue would “come up with the extra support”.
