Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Ó Murchú for raising this matter, which we have discussed on previous occasions. I have been working very closely with Senator Erin McGreehan on stepping this out, getting a full assessment of the impact of that particular weather event and stepping forward a response to it. As the Deputy knows, there was exceptionally heavy rainfall in October and November, with two back-to-back storms occurring between 18 October and 1 November. That later storm, on 30 and 31 October, saw high winds and unprecedented rainfall on already saturated ground, which resulted in localised flooding in the Cooley Peninsula. During this time, the River Flurry and other smaller streams burst their banks and washed away field fencing and gateways. The heavy rain also caused landslides from the Cooley Mountains which deposited large rocks, gravel and debris on agricultural lands in addition to loss and damage to stored fodder and fertiliser supplies. In these cases, land users have not been able to utilise agricultural lands without carrying out remedial works and some have reported fodder shortages. Access to affected lands has been restricted for farmers too and activities such as conserving fodder cannot be carried out in the normal way. These farmers have also seen the same poor weather conditions as other farmers across the country with exceptional rainfall over several months and the challenges that brings.

In order to assist these farmers, and working particularly with Senator McGreehan, my Department requested local Teagasc staff to carry out a survey of the affected areas. These reports have been received in my Department and they detail the impact of flooding on individual land holdings situated in the Cooley Peninsula. The Department is currently analysing these surveys to fully assess the damage done to individual farmers and land and it is something on which I will be following through after that. I will update the House on this and no doubt Senator McGreehan will be in a position to clarify as well when I have brought it to a conclusion.

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