Eugene Murphy TD, the Fianna Fail Junior Spokesperson for the OPW and Flood Relief, says he is working in conjunction with Roscommon County Council to help alleviate the damage caused by flash flooding throughout North Roscommon this week.
Deputy Murphy said that torrential rain in County Roscommon and some adjoining counties earlier this week has caused widespread damage. A number of homes, roads and bridges particularly in areas such as Strokestown, Curraghroe, Doughill, Tarmonbarry, Scramogue and Culliagh were affected. “Flash floods have hit many communities who are just trying to recover from the heavy rainfall of 2015 and late 2016. I visited many homes in the Curraghroe and Doughill area late last night (Wednesday) where homeowners had up to two to three feet of water in their sitting rooms and they were forced to evacuate. This is a nightmare situation for families and homeowners and many communities are still only trying to get back on their feet.
“This now puts the county and the constituency back in the spotlight and clearly shows the ongoing problems we are going to have with this issue. Roscommon County Council has been trying to help some residents affected. I have been in contact with officials of Roscommon County Council and have made contact with Minister with responsibility for Office of Public Works to inform him of the new difficulties that are now arising,” said Deputy Murphy.
Motion
Deputy Murphy recently brought a motion before the Dail when he called on the Minister of State for the Office of Public Works to outline what action has been taken to alleviate the ongoing impact of the damage caused by last winter’s floods.
Deputy Murphy said he was “extremely disappointed” by the Minister’s response and he said the Government had shown a “lack of imagination” and was “devoid of any real understanding of the reality of the ongoing situation on the ground.” The Fianna Fail Deputy welcomed the fact however that on foot of his invitation, Minister Canney had indicated he would make a visit to the constituency in due course. Deputy Murphy said that many of the OPW’s existing Capital Works Programme which Minister Canney referred to where in parts of County Cork and affected areas in County Roscommon seemed to have been largely overlooked.
“Flooding is still a major issue throughout the western region particularly so in Counties Roscommon and Galway where many homes, businesses and individuals are still bearing the brunt of the devastating consequences of widespread flooding while some areas are still under water and now these recent flash floods will only exacerbate the problem, “ said Deputy Murphy.
Funding
Eugene Murphy concluded by pointed out that Roscommon County Council require in the region of €11 million to repair the damage caused by flooding to ensure that such devastation does not reoccur throughout the county yet only €4.5 million has been allocated which he said was “wholly inadequate.”