Eugene Murphy (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Last weekend was a pretty good weekend for the people around Lough Funshinagh in Roscommon. I want to take this opportunity to thank a number of people. First, I thank the Deputy Leader who, in consultation with the Leader, made contact on the matter with the Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works, OPW, Deputy O'Donovan. I also contacted the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy McConalogue on it. I thank the Cathaoirleach for facilitating a Commencement matter when he learned of the seriousness of the issue.

Last week, the Government announced funding of €1.5 million to allow work to commence to alleviate the flooding that was threatening 45 homes and family farms. One house has been already lost. I was brought to the area by a local councillor, Laurence Fallon, who showed me the devastation caused by the flooding. Outdoor sheds and houses were under threat from flood waters. It is an issue that has arisen at this turlough. In light of the Government's provision of €1.5 million, which will allow work to commence quickly, it is only right that I would thank the Minister of State, Deputy O'Donovan, the Minister, Deputy McConalogue and the CEO of Roscommon County Council, Eugene Cummins, who did huge work on this issue, and local councillors. It is good news and it shows what can be done through co-operation.

I want to also raise the issue of flooding in south Roscommon, particularly around the Callows. I have been contacted by a number of local farmers who told me that birds' nests have been destroyed because of rising waters. We are told the weather is to improve but owing to the weather of recent weeks, water levels have risen. I ask the Deputy Leader to use her good offices to make contact on the issue with the ESB, which controls the water levels The concern is that owing to water being held up and not released downstream, farmland and bird wildlife in the area is being destroyed.