Joined-up thinking is needed to plug the gaps in flood relief

‘JOINED-UP thinking’ will be required to help resolved the ongoing flood problems that have brought misery to many parts of South and East Galway, according to IFA Flood Project Chairman, Tom Turley.

He told the the OPW Flood Risk Management Conference in Dublin Castle, that the recent flooding and storm damage was a stark reminder of the vulnerability of farmers and rural communities to the damage that can be caused by such events.

“I am calling on OPW Minister Brian Hayes to provide the necessary resources to help alleviate flooding on our main rivers as well as supporting the sea defences to avoid the loss of farm land on coastal areas,” said Tom Turley.

He said that an example of the lack of joined-up thinking was where the National Parks and Wildlife Service had a veto on works put forward by the OPW (Office of Public Works) in designated ‘natura’ land.

“Farmers have been stopped from carrying out remedial works in order to alleviate flooding and this is unacceptable,” said Mr. Turley.

He said that in many cases solutions could be found where there was co-operation between the farmers and local authorities to carry out remedial works with financial assistance from the OPW.

“This kind of co-operation must be speeded up over the coming months so that flooding events are mitigated in the future,” said Tom Turley.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.