Kerrane raises Gorthaganny wildfires in Dáil with Taoiseach

Sinn Féin TD for Roscommon-Galway, Claire Kerrane today raised the recent wildfires in the Gorthaganny area with the Taoiseach in the Dáil.

She secured a commitment from him that he would support her ask of Ministers to engage with those affected.

Speaking in the Dáil this afternoon, Deputy Kerrane said that having seen the impact first-hand on the ground in Gorthaganny, she felt obliged to raise the issue with the Taoiseach today.

The Deputy said: "Earlier in the week, I visited Gorthaganny in West Roscommon to see the impact of a recent wildfire, the worse ever seen in the county. Over 1,000 acres of bogland and forestry have been absolutely destroyed. 

"I have written to Minister Healy Rae and Heydon with photographs of the damage done to seek engagement with and supports for the landowners affected. I have also reached out to the EU Commission via my MEP colleague as Carrowbehy bog is a Special Area of Conservation.

"It has been looked after, especially by Gorthaganny Community Development, and the biodiversity has thrived there."

Addressing the Taoiseach in the Dáil today, she said it was unacceptable that landowners and farmers would be left high and dry whether it's a fire or a storm, totally outside of their control.

"The damage done here is incredible and difficult to put into words,” she said.

Deputy Kerrane asked the Taoiseach to join her in her ask of Ministers to engage with those affected and to put any and all supports in place for those impacted and the community.

In response, the Taoiseach said the damage to so many acres of land was "appalling" and that he would ask Ministers to engage with the local community.

In conclusion, Deputy Kerrane said she would hold the Taoiseach to the commitment he made on the floor of the Dáil for the people affected.