Lough Funshinagh flooding
Deputy Kerrane warned that flooding at Lough Funshinagh was worsening, threatening homes and farms and causing lasting devastation. The Tánaiste acknowledged high water tables, said there was no easy solution, and promised to take the specific case back to Ministers.
I raise again the situation of flooding at Lough Funshinagh in my constituency. Waters have now surpassed record levels and the situation is getting worse every single day. Water levels are now at 69.16 m above sea level and are rising daily. At least five additional houses are now under immediate threat and another farmyard has been destroyed. Older people in their 80s and 90s are looking at their lives' work totally devastated, young families with big mortgages are unable to let their children outside, and this devastation has been allowed to go on and on. Last month, along with my colleague, Sinn Féin MEP Chris MacManus, and representatives from the community, we met with the director for biodiversity at the European Commission and he was crystal clear with us in saying there is nothing in the habitats directive that prevents a member state from taking emergency action or having emergency legislation where livelihoods are at risk. Livelihoods have been at risk around Lough Funshinagh now for years. So too have lives. At long last, after many years, what is the Government waiting for?
Comment on this
I accept that. I do not disagree with the point and I know the specifics of the case but there is no easy resolution of all of this. However, I will revert to the Ministers concerned to see if anything can be done in this specific case. There is reflection needed across the House on where we are. We are seeing changing weather patterns. This morning, we had questions on tillage and so on and how our food production system is now being impacted by the weather patterns but also human survival in given locations. I will certainly go back to the Minister if the Deputy has specific remedies on this.