Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge the eight contributors: Senators Dolan, Murphy, Boyhan, Chambers, Black, Kyne, Joe O'Reilly and Carrigy. The comments were very constructive.

For me, this is about two aspects. It is about the people of Lough Funshinagh primarily and it is about the SAC of Lough Funshinagh. On a human level it is predicted that the water levels will be higher next winter than now. In practical terms that means we must put measures in place between now and then to bring down the water levels on Lough Funshinagh. It is as simple as that. That will give two benefits. It will protect the SAC and the homes and it will lessen the misery that people, including the farming community, are suffering. When I was appointed as Minister of State I wanted to see at first hand what was happening there. Senator Dolan had said it to me previously when I was a Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. I decided to go to Lough Funshinagh and to go with a whole-of-government approach, with officials from the Office of Public Works, to meet Roscommon County Council, and to have the National Parks and Wildlife Service there as well, all on the ground.That was to enable us to carry out an assessment, from my perspective, in order to see what was there. The more particular reason was to be able to meet the people affected. The one thing that came across when I went around meeting people, and many of them - including the likes of the Beatties, the Kearneys, the Fallons and Ellie McLaughlin, were name-checked by Senator Dolan - was the connection these families have with Lough Funshinagh and the biodiversity there. Senator Dolan referred to these people as custodians. They see themselves in this role. My role is Minister of State with special responsibility for the OPW, and the Government and I want to respect their role.

What has happened in the short time since that visit is that we have had a whole-of-government approach to work on this issue. That approach involves the OPW, Roscommon County Council, which leads the steering group - and I acknowledge the work it is doing - and the National Parks and Wildlife Service. We have also sought expert legal advice from the Office of the Attorney General. We had a meeting with the Attorney General and all the stakeholders I mentioned last Friday. We are working on this issue and intensive engagement will continue.

The most important thing for me is to seek to ensure we protect the SAC and people's homes and farms. In many cases, farm sheds were underwater in the places we visited. This aspect is greatly important. In this context, the message is that we are continuing to work at pace to look for a solution or solutions that will enable us to get works done over the summer. We want to ensure this can happen. Senator Boyhan referred to not rushing in this regard. From my perspective, we want to be certain about what we are doing. We have spoken to representatives of Roscommon County Council and we want to ensure that what we put in is robust.

We know the patience of the people living near Lough Funshinagh has been tested. I know how devastating the impact of flooding is for people. It has never happened to me personally, but it has been a feature of my political life in the area I represent in County Limerick. I know the devastation caused by being flooded. Possessions that people might have had for decades are suddenly gone or can only be seen floating in the flood waters. I mentioned Ellie McLaughlin earlier. She has young children and has gone through a lot. I met Brian Fallon, who lives a hundred yards up the road. These people have lived there all their lives.