OPW Minister and council turn on pumps to manage Lough Funshinagh water levels

OPW Minister Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran and Roscommon County Council Cathaoirleach Paschal Fitzmaurice today turned on the interim pumping solution to help manage the flood risk at Lough Funshinagh.

The interim pumping system will be in place pending the completion of a permanent scheme.

Minister Moran praised the work by An Taoiseach, An Tánaiste and former Ministers for the OPW, Kieran O’Donnell and Patrick O’Donovan for their work and support to identify this interim solution for Lough Funshinagh.

During his visit to the Lough today, the OPW Minister said the significance of this event for the local community could not be understated as "they have had to endure unprecedented water levels at Lough Funshinagh for some years, causing substantial damage and risks to their homes and businesses".

The Minister thanked the Cathaoirleach of Roscommon County Council for the council’s work and resilience with finding a workable interim solution for Lough Funshinagh and for the council’s ongoing emergency response to managing the flood risk to the affected lakeshore communities.

Minister Moran said: “Today is a very positive day and would not have been possible without the support and constructive engagement of the residents from Lough Funshinagh. Their deep connection with Lough Funshinagh and its preservation has been to the fore throughout this process notwithstanding the challenges they faced from the flood risk to their homes and businesses.” 

The Cathaoirleach of Roscommon County Council, Paschal Fitzmaurice, said: “On behalf of the elected members of Roscommon County Council, I welcome this significant milestone and the peace of mind it gives to local residents and landowners after years of distress. 

"In addition, we as members are confident that the ongoing surveys and environmental assessments being carried out by Roscommon County Council, the OPW and other key stakeholders will pave the way for a permanent solution in the not too distant future.” 

(See full report in Tuesday’s edition of the Roscommon Herald.)