James Bannon (Fine Gael)

I would like to highlight the plight of many people, including farmers, in the midlands due to the serious flooding in the area of the River Shannon. The ESB must be forced to reduce the water levels on Lough Derg and downriver from Athlone, Lanesborough and Longford because serious flooding is taking place in those areas. Farmers in Longford, Westmeath and Roscommon are seriously affected by the situation. Better management of this waterway must be implemented.

The River Shannon must be regularly dredged because of the serious build-up of silt in the river at this time of year. The flooding is causing serious problems for farmers. Many of them have lost their fodder crops and have had to move their cattle from slatted houses, which are two feet under water in some parts of the midlands. Could the Leader indicate whether the Government has plans to introduce a flood relief fund to help those hard-pressed people in the midlands? There is a serious situation for the farmers and for local county roads in the midlands due to the flooding. This is a catastrophe for many people in the midlands. In the days of former Ministers for Agriculture, Austin Deasy and Mark Clinton, when such catastrophes happened relief was given to people.