Ministers to meet on Lough Funshinagh flooding – Naughten

In Mid-Roscommon, News by Denis Naughten

Local TD Denis Naughten has received confirmation from the Minister for Agriculture, Charlie McConalogue, that he and the Minister for the Office of Public Works, Patrick O’Donovan TD, are to meet next Wednesday to explore measures to address the ongoing threat of flooding within the vicinity of Lough Funshinagh.

A further meeting is to also take place with the key State stakeholders, which was previously agreed to by Minister O’Donovan at the request of Denis Naughten, which was made following the continual rise of flood waters over Christmas and revised flood data provided by Cllr. Laurence Fallon. This indicates that 2021 will be the most challenging year to date in managing water levels on the Lough.

“The meeting of stakeholders is expected to include all of the key players including the OPW, Department of Agriculture, Roscommon County Council, National Parks & Wildlife Service and the Geological Survey of Ireland which has been monitoring the situation on Lough Funshinagh over the last five years,” stated Denis Naughten.

“At the request of Cllr. Laurence Fallon, I have also contacted Minister Malcolm Noonan, the Minister with responsibility for the National Parks & Wildlife Service, seeking an immediate review of the Special Area of Conservation status of Lough Funshinagh in light of the impact the flooding is having on the functioning of the former turlough,” concluded Denis Naughten.

ENDS.