The River Shannon Management Agency Bill 2020 was debated at second stage in the Dáil last night (Tuesday, November 3) with TD Michael Fitzmaurice saying that the ongoing issue with flooding is “above politics”.
The deputy said that there are people “tortured” in the counties affected.
“Let’s not play politics with the Shannon. I would ask everyone to come together – this is about the future,” the deputy said.
We’re not going to drain it tomorrow or next week, we’re not going to solve it in a few days. We have got to come together. This is above politics – it’s about people.
Independent TD Mattie McGrath has said that many communities across rural Ireland have been “devastated” by the ongoing flooding issues.
‘Empty promises’
“Every time a flooding incident occurs, a government minister and backbench TDs arrive onsite, making empty promises of potential solutions or announcing funding that never arrives,” the Tipperary TD said.
“Meanwhile, the impact on family homes and small businesses continues to go unsupported time after time.
“The time for grandstanding and providing communities with false hope is over. This urgent matter requires much more immediate action – not more empty promises.”
The deputy said that he has observed it as being “much easier and legally safer” for councils and government to “continue blaming flooding on climate change, an ‘act of God’ or otherwise”.
“Rather than admit that their own planning processes, lack of investment and decisions were a critical factor in floods that caused millions in damages to Irish citizens throughout the entire country.”
‘People from Cavan to Clare are sick and tired of flooding along the Shannon’
“People from Cavan to Clare are sick and tired of flooding along the Shannon,” according to Sinn Féin TD Martin Browne.
The Tipperary TD said that people are “sick and tired of the flooding”, and “sick of politicians coming out and getting photos and hand wringing, yet the cycle continues”.
“They’ve had enough. What were once winter floods are now summer floods,” deputy Browne continued.
This year alone there were floods in February, floods in July and as we speak, there are areas along the Shannon under water and more under threat.
“Data shows that the risk of flooding is increasing and has unfortunately become a regular occurrence along the River Shannon.
“These floods are devastating to homes, farming lands and businesses and communities along the Shannon are living in fear of the next flood hitting.”