Aisling Dolan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

There are times when emergency measures are required and when decisive action can be the difference to saving homes, farms and families. Last winter at Lough Funshinagh in County Roscommon we saw on the news a couple in their 80s abandon their home and farms flooded. We saw family homes devastated with water pumps going non-stop. A road was raised 8 ft by the county council to protect homes. This is a turlough, a disappearing lake. However, water levels have reached their highest in living memory with no sign of waters receding. Such levels cause fear and anxiety which are endured every single day by families in the area. They have sleepless nights if there is heavy rain. This also affects council workers who have to come and save people's lands, farms and homes.

The Minister of State, Deputy Patrick O'Donovan, and the OPW meet weekly. The Minister of State confirmed that flooding at Lough Funshinagh was always on the agenda. It was wonderful to have the Minister of State visit our communities around Lough Funshinagh last week. With funding commitments in place and working together with Roscommon County Council, an engineering solution was found. An overflow pipe will now bring the waters away from this area. Last week, the communities of Lisfelim Ardmullen, Rahara and Ballagh around Lough Funshinagh actually saw action to save their homes. They saw three diggers making way. People from the local community told me they welcomed the noise of the diggers just like the sounds of birds singing in the morning at 6 a.m.

I have worked with the Minister of State, Deputy Patrick O'Donovan, along with many public representatives, as well as the cathaoirleach and chief executive of Roscommon County Council, to achieve a solution. The Minister of State has given significant funding commitments which have provided action for County Roscommon. I acknowledge the Lough Funshinagh flood crisis committee which has been in touch with all public representatives in the area since last year, in particular since last October and November. It means relief, an end to anxiety and such joy to the communities affected.