Floods groups throw Canney in at the deep end

Rural groups in South Galway are queuing up to demand meetings with the new Minister for the Office of Public Works in an effort to prevent the flooding disaster that occurred last winter.

And already it is clear they will be ‘banging down the door’ of the new minister who has responsibility for the OPW, Deputy Sean Canney from Claretuam.

Many TDs considered the position as a ‘poison chalice’ but Deputy Canney said he is looking forward to the challenge – particularly as hundreds of acres in Belclare, near to where he resides, are still currently under water.

The IFA is top of the list to meet Minister Canney and discuss the catastrophic flooding crisis that took place in South Galway early this year.

It resulted in the main Galway to Gort road being closed for several months at Labane, with motorists diverting through the village in order to negotiate the main N18.

Last week’s announcement of the Junior Minister nominees left Galway with two ‘half-cars’ as Fine Gael’s Deputy Sean Kyne has been handed the responsibility for the Gaeltacht which is a portfolio that he is looking forward to.

Indeed, he too can expect to be busy as a meeting of Galway County Council this week heard that various public representatives want to meet with him to discuss issues affecting Connemara.

Minister Canney will hand over the ministerial position to Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran in a year’s time – but in the meantime he will be hoping to avoid another winter of discontent in South Galway. Among those on his tail is Cllr Joe Byrne who wants the whole issue over the N17/N18 motorway to be investigated.

The Kinvara Fine Gael councillor said that Minister Canney would be summoned to a meeting in South Galway to discuss the flooding situation and water can be released to the sea as quickly as possible.

Meanwhile, Deputy Anne Rabbitte from Portumna has been elevated to the Fine Gael front bench after just three months since getting elected to Dail Eireann.

“The Children & Youth Affairs portfolio is one that is close to my heart and I will work hard to ensure that children’s issues are prioritized under this Government,” she said.

“There are a range of issues which are impacting on children across this country; with child poverty one of the greatest areas of concern.  The cost and quality of childcare provision will also be a priority for my party and me,” she added.