OPW Minister to seek extension to Lough Funshinagh interim flood relief scheme

OPW Minister Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran confirmed during a visit to South Roscommon today, Friday, that an extension would be sought to the interim flood relief scheme at Lough Funshinagh.

The temporary pumping measure, which has a 24-month planning permission, has been in place for almost a year and a half, and has pumped billion litres of water from Lough Funshinagh to date.

However, concerns have been raised about delays to the project aimed at finding a permanent solution to the devastating flooding at the lake.

OPW Minister Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran confirmed during his visit today that an extension would now be sought for the temporary solution at Lough Funshinagh.

Minister Moran met with locals at Curraghboy Community Hall this afternoon, with the meeting concluding after more than an hour and a half. Council officials were also present as were a number of politicians. Members of the Lough Funshinagh Flood Crisis Committee were also in attendance. 

The Minister described today’s meeting as “positive”.

Regarding a permanent solution, nine routes originally went out to public consultation earlier this year and Minister Moran said today that everyone was happy with the selected route.

The aim is now that the planning application will now be submitted to An Coimisiún Pleanála
in the first three months of next year.  

This proposal, which suprised many as it does not involve the original overflow pipe project route, will follow a similar route to the current temporary solution.

Pointing out that there was no scheme like this in Europe, the Minister said that “money is no object” and the land would be put back better than what it was before.