Noel Treacy (Galway East, Fianna Fail)

I rise in solidarity with my constituents in Galway east in the most devastating flood we have ever experienced. The flood levels are at their highest ever, higher than those in 1954. The people of Ballinasloe all the way into Beithe into Gort and north Galway, Abbeyknockmoy, Ballymoe, Williamstown and through Craughwell and Athenry are in a very serious state. Tonight, the flood levels have risen by seven feet at Kiltartan Roman Catholic Church in south Galway, famed in history and in literature. Animals are drowning in sheds. Water in the Rahasane Turlough, one of the foremost wildlife sanctuaries in the world, is rising rapidly and the people living on that stretch are very worried that they may not be able to survive tonight because the situation is so serious and tragic. I empathise and sympathise with all of the people. I thank the Taoiseach and the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and the Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works for their huge commitment and for the hours they have come, early in the morning, late at night and during the day to stand with us in solidarity. It is critical that we address this situation now.

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