Renewed calls to compensate farmers affected by Lough Funshinagh

Renewed calls have been made to provide financial compensation to farmers whose lands have been affected by Lough Funshinagh flooding since 2015.

The appeal for assistance was raised through of a notice of motion tabled by Independent Councillor Tony Ward at the September plenary meeting of Roscommon County Council.

Cllr Ward explained that while floodwaters had destroyed boundary fences, tree lines, stakes, and topsoil, affected landowners have faced a double penalty. Their single farm payments have been cut due to their land being under water. “There doesn’t seem to be any help out there,” he said.

Fianna Fáil councillor John Keogh recalled that correspondence on the compensation matter had previously been sent to former Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue but the response was “unfavourable”.

"It was an exceptional situation that arose, and funding is necessary to compensate those for loss of land and the ability to obtain grants," Cllr Keogh said. He also pointed out that severe soil erosion was now visible in areas where summer floodwaters had receded.

The councillor also welcomed the call from OPW Minister, Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran for the reinstatement of lands following the completion of the permanent solution to the flooding at Lough Funshinagh.

Speaking as an affected landowner himself, Independent councillor Laurence Fallon spoke of the financial toll of a decade-long crisis on local farmers.

"The loss has been very substantial on two fronts," Cllr Fallon explained. "First of all, the loss of production, going on now for 10 years. And on top of that, the loss of single farm payments as well".

While welcoming signs that funding may eventually be made available to restore boundary fences once permanent flood relief works were built, Cllr Fallon warned that approximately 25% of the affected ground was so badly eroded that standard reinstatement may no longer be possible.

Cllr Fallon also appealed to council engineers and the Office of Public Works (OPW) to ensure outlying communities like Lisphelim - where previous flooding reached six feet above road levels - are not excluded from upcoming consultant reviews and relief works.

Every elected member voiced their strong backing for compensation for local farmers.

During the discussion, councillors noted that apart from the financial losses, living alongside temporary sandbag barriers and continuous OPW emergency pumping had inflicted an emotional and health toll on local families.

"It's absolutely shocking what went on," said Cllr McDermot. "I'd go as far as to say there was a humanitarian crisis. That we even have to have a discussion here today in relation to compensation is mad. It shouldn't have to be spoken of - it should be a matter of requesting, and it be dealt with immediately".

Councillors agreed to write to the Minister for Finance, Simon Harris and the Agriculture Minister, Martin Heydon to make another appeal for compensation for farmers.

*Published as part of the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.