Tánaiste to visit Lough Funshinagh

Tánaiste Michéal Martin will visit the Lough Funshinagh and the flood affected areas in South Roscommon at the end of next month, it has been confirmed.

Local Independent councillor Laurence Fallon confirmed that he was contacted by the Tánaiste’s office yesterday (Monday) and informed that the Fianna Fáil leader will visit Lough Funshinagh on Friday, May 31st.

Cllr. Fallon said he had written to the three Government leaders last month, inviting them to visit Lough Funshinagh to view the emergency situation that has developed.

“The situation at Lough Funshinagh was at crisis point when I wrote to the three leaders of Government a month ago. The situation has since escalated even further with more homes at high risk of flooding, another road closed and farmyards and land destroyed.

“While I welcome the fact that the Tánaiste has accepted my invitation, that visit is still over a month away and this is an emergency situation which needs emergency intervention and I am urging the three Government leaders – the Taoiseach, Tánaiste and leader of the Green Party – to find an immediate solution to the devastation that is unfolding here,” said. Cllr. Fallon.

Senator Eugene Murphy has also welcomed the confirmation that the Tanàiste will visit and meet with the people of Lough Funshinagh area and Curraghboy village following what he said was a commitment given to him more than three weeks ago.

In the meantime, he said it would be great if the Government had found the space to bring forward legislation to ensure water could be drained from the lake.

"I spent a few hours in the Curraghboy area on Sunday evening meeting families and they are scared out of their minds. The water is beginning to engulf that area and if that village falls to the flood there will be great frustration from the public,” said Senator Murphy.

He said that in the meantime it would be great if the Government could have found the space to bring forward legislation to ensure water could be drained from the lake.

Meanwhile, Senator Murphy acknowledged this week that there was great anger at the Fianna Fáil Dail Ceantair meeting held in the Abbey Hotel last Thursday night. Attended by 40 people, the meeting discussed local and European elections but he said a serious debate ensued over what was happening to the people of Cuurraghaboy and Rahara.

Delegates from all over Roscommon and East Galway demanded that the Government sort the issue without delay.

Local Fianna Fáil local election candidate for South Roscommon, James Murray was highly critical of what he called a lack of action. Cllr John Keogh informed the gathering that he was working on addressing the threat to residents of Curraghboy.

Senator Murphy informed the meeting of a visit from the Tanàiste soon and also the Fianna Fáil leader’s involvement and interaction with the Attorney General 's Office.

The senator said many delegates spoke angrily about the plight of local people in the flood-hit region.