Plans for scheme to prevent floods

ENVIRONMENTAL maintenance works to ease summer flooding which is having a serious impact on farming and habitats in the Shannon Callows region is to begin shortly, Minister of State Tom Parlon has announced.

He said the capacity of the River Shannon to carry flood flows at critical points between Meelick and Banagher will be improved. This will improve the situation from Meelick to Athlone.

IFA Connacht vice president Michael Silke said the Office of Public Works scheme was welcome. Up to 700 farmers have incurred devastating losses, as a result of the flooding.