Eugene Murphy (Roscommon-Galway, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State, Deputy English, for coming to the House to respond. I am sharing my time with my colleague, Deputy Fitzmaurice.

On 15 June, last Wednesday, County Roscommon experienced another incident of torrential rain, which was also experienced in parts of some adjoining counties, including County Westmeath, where I was driving at the time and had to pull over. The heavy deluge of rain caused widespread damage to a number of homes, roads and bridges, especially in areas such as Curraghroe, Scramogue, Culliagh and Doughill, which were badly affected.

Flash floods have affected many communities that are just trying to recover from the heavy rainfall of 2015 and early 2016. Late on Wednesday night I spent two hours visiting my neighbours and friends in the region. At least half a dozen houses were quite badly affected in that kitchens, back kitchens, bathrooms and materials in them were damaged. It is a nightmare situation for families and it is not the first time we have faced such difficulties in County Roscommon. I am a resident of the area and my home was affected, but thankfully we kept the water from getting in the door. It took a huge effort. Those who witnessed the rain said it was the worst they had ever seen. Reports from Met Éireann suggest it was the heaviest rainfall on record, but that has not been clarified.

In addition, water has flowed down from Sliabh Bán, where Coillte is involved in a wind farm development. Even though the wind farm got full planning permission and the go-ahead from An Bord Pleanála, local people are concerned about what might be happening there. I do not wish to take up any more time, as I wish to give time to my colleague. I call on the Minister of State to address the issue and to assure me that everything has been checked to make sure the inflow of water is not due to drainage issues on Sliabh Bán.

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