Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Rural Independent Group for tabling this motion. That we had a similar debate last night reflects the importance of this issue for many people across the country. Yesterday, we spoke primarily about the difficulties in the Shannon region. The main issue is managing water levels on the Shannon and making sure that works are performed at the appropriate times and there is a body to oversee them and ensure they are done properly and in a co-ordinated fashion.

I will use this opportunity to bring the Minister of State's attention to a number of other areas, the first of which is Dromahair in north Leitrim. The River Bonet flows across north Leitrim and into Dromahair. On 29 June, Sharon and Michael Gethins's house was under 2.5 ft of water. A flash flood caused devastation, with many neighbours and lands across the area flooded. In fairness, the OPW has done a great deal of work on the river, but it continues to leave parts of it untouched because it is not responsible for them. It does not go near the part of the river that flows through the village of Dromahair. Anyone who walks there can see the rubble, including tree trunks, and overgrown vegetation. They are not being dealt with. In many instances of flooding around the country, it is normally just one or two small areas that need attention in order to relieve the rest.

There are issues in the Drumcliff area of north Sligo. Problems arose there around the end of June last year, with flash flooding and houses practically destroyed. In one case, debris was washed down a river and blocked an eye of a bridge entirely. It had three eyes originally, but now there are only two. The county council has stated that removing the blockage poses it environmental issues. In fairness, the Minister of State mentioned last night how there were many problems with getting approval, given the environmental issues involved. Sometimes, floods leave debris behind and it is treated as if it is some kind of national asset that we should hold onto. A little common sense needs to be brought to bear and this matter must be addressed.

The main issue in most areas is trying to get the correct body to do the work. The OPW is responsible in some cases but not in others and there are whole areas where it does not deal with flooding. Many areas of Leitrim and Sligo used to have river drainage boards. They were dissolved, as was the funding that had been going to them. That left a major problem. The Ballinamore-Ballyconnell river drainage board operated for many years. I was a member of it. It worked under Cavan and Leitrim County Councils to provide drainage and funding for same. Minor works were done to keep drains open and rivers flowing across vast areas of land. The same situation obtained in many areas. Funding was removed and councils were made responsible, but they were given no money. If one now wants to have rivers drained, the county manager asks from what road that funding will be taken. There needs to be a recognition of this significant problem. Not only must the previous drainage boards be re-established within local authorities, but new ones must be established because the problem in many areas is that there is no one responsible. If we can do that, we will move this situation forward a great deal.

The issue of insurance arises regularly and I have spoken to many people about it. A couple of months ago, I spoke to someone whose house, despite being on high ground, happened to be in a townland where an area had flooded previously. No insurance company would give the person a quote. Obviously, when companies put the application into the system, a red flag was raised because of previous claims for flooding in the townland and they would not offer quotes. The house would not flood unless it was like the flood that lifted Noah's ark. It is on a hill, yet its owners could not get insurance. They had to get someone from an insurance company to come out, look at the house and take photographs before they could get a quote. A bit of common sense needs to be applied, but there is an issue with insurers. They do everything they can when there is a flood to wrangle their way out of paying and assisting people.

All of this comes down to ensuring that we are on the side of the people on the ground, including the farmers whose lands are flooded and the people whose properties have been destroyed by flooding, and that we work collectively. I acknowledge the Minister of State's work. We all want to work with him on resolving the problem. He accepted at least a portion of our proposal yesterday to have an overall authority for the River Shannon. However, greater responsibility needs to be taken for all parts of the country where there is flooding, be they small tributaries of larger rivers, lakes or lowlands. The only bodies responsible currently are local authorities even though they have no funds to deal with them. This matter needs to be addressed urgently.

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