Fianna Fáil Senator Eugene Murphy has said the decision by the Office of Public Works (OPW) to “rule out drainage works on Lough Funshinagh” in Co. Roscommon is “not acceptable”.

Senator Murphy has said that farmers and local residents will be “victimised” if ongoing flooding problems cannot be alleviated.

“Lough Funshinagh was the case of the disappearing lake but now it’s the ever-expanding lake and we are acutely aware of the ongoing flooding issues in the area,” Senator Murphy said.

“The OPW has turned down the proposal to build an outflow drainage pipe at the lake as they claim it could have serious ecological effects on the turlough – but what about the serious effect the flooding is having on landowners and local residents?

They are the victims in all of this. If the water levels keep rising, many of these people will have to be relocated.

The OPW said that there was “no viable, cost-effective or sustainable solutions to alleviate flooding”. Senator Murphy said it is “amazing that despite all the experts from engineers to geologists that no viable solution can be found”.

“I intend to move this issue in the Seanad and I will also be inviting the minister to visit Lough Funshinagh in a bid to keep the pressure on to find a solution – it’s simply not good enough to leave things in limbo in this manner,” he concluded.