Deputation meets official in quest for flood relief

A meeting with a senior Government official has given renewed hope that further flood relief measures will be carried out in Ballinasloe.

A deputation from the town met with Minister Simon Harris, who has responsibility for the Office of Public Works, in the hope that funding will be provided to extend flooding defences.

Back in 2009 Ballinasloe town was one of the worst affected by flooding in the country. Homes and businesses were left under several feet of water and residents had to be accommodated in local hotels.

In the aftermath of this, funding was provided by the Government to erect a flood wall which effectively prevents more than 100 houses from flooding in the future.

But further measures are required to protect the town in the event of similar prolonged rainfall occurring again. The deputation were happy with the hearing that they received.

The deputation was made up Ballinasloe councillors Michael Connolly and Michael Finnerty. They were joined by Deputy Micheal Kitt and Senator Michael Mullins. Michael Tully, Frank Kavanagh and John Jordan represented the flood group.

It is proposed to extend the flood wall at Station Road as well as providing flood relief measures at the East Link Bridge.

Cllr. Connolly said that it was an excellent presentation and that the Minister gave a commitment to visit Ballinasloe to see at first hand the works that were carried out and those that need doing.

“He was very impressed by the presentation and hopefully funding will come through for these essential flood mitigation measures,” the Fianna Fail councillor added.

Cllr. Connolly said that the schemes were ready to go once there was a commitment given towards funding. “To quote a well-used phrase, they are shovel-ready”, he commented.

However, Cllr. Dermot Connolly asked if any commitment had been given by the Minister to carry out these flood works in Ballinasloe.

Cllr. Michael Connolly responded by saying that they did not expect a decision on funding there and then but that the Minister gave an undertaking to come to Ballinasloe.

But the Sinn Fein councillor kept asking what commitments were given by the Minister and expressed dissatisfaction with the responses he was getting.

“Will funding be provided or not? I cannot get a definitive answer. It is very unsatisfactory. I can’t get a yes or a no,” Cllr. Dermot Connolly added.

Cllr. Michael Finnerty responded by saying that it was a very productive meeting in that two Government departments would be brought together to discuss the Ballinasloe flooding issue.