Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent) | Oireachtas source

This will be a bit different and not the usual spat at Leaders' Questions. I thank Deputies Naughten and Kerrane. We are here as Roscommon-Galway TDs, joined together and above all we are here united with the people of Lough Funshinagh in County Roscommon.

The Tánaiste will be aware of the situation with Lough Funshinagh in County Roscommon, where the water is getting higher and higher. Some people when they go to bed at night listen out to hear if the pumps are running. These include 92-year-olds and 87-year-olds. Unfortunately, the other night a pump stopped, and within half an hour one of them was left in an island with water coming around them. In recent days, the snake has kept creeping and the village of Curraghboy is now under threat. I commend the council workers who are doing as much as they can. Either this evening or tomorrow, the road from Curraghboy to Athleague will be closed. Today, more houses need to be surrounded with sandbags, trying to prevent water from going in their doors.

The National Parks and Wildlife Service has acknowledged - I know the relevant Minister of State is here - that this designated turlough is dying because of excess water in it. Both the other Roscommon Deputies and the Roscommon Senators, Senators Murphy and Dolan, are involved. This is not about me. Along with the councillors, so far we, the politicians, have failed to resolve this problem because of the habitats directive. In fairness the Minister, Deputy O'Donovan, was fully committed. I welcome Kieran O'Donnell coming down tomorrow and I wish him the best of luck. However, with the best will in the world, this will not cut it.

I have talked to senior people in the National Parks and Wildlife Service about what can be done under the habitats directive. An emergency order can be signed. This will require the Tánaiste, our new Taoiseach and the Minister, Deputy Ryan, to bring an emergency order to Cabinet. I urge the Tánaiste to listen to my wording because I have been told what can be done legally. An emergency order can be issued by Government for a temporary measure to get the water moving which will work until a permanent solution is found. That has the backing of the National Parks and Wildlife Service. It has the backing of every politician around the place. I am asking the Tánaiste to do this next Tuesday or sooner if he can. Such cross-party support is generally not seen and I commend them on doing it. That is not seen here in the Dáil. For the people of that area and for the benefit of the designated area, will the Tánaiste bring a memo to Cabinet and resolve this issue for once and for all?

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