Forum to discuss creation of single water agency in wake of flooding

THE creation of one agency with full responsibility for river and waterways maintenance in the state will be discussed at an Irish Farmers Association forum in Ballinasloe, Co Galway, tomorrow afternoon.

People worst affected by last November’s flooding, and representatives from the various agencies which have responsibility for the management of rivers and waterways, will address the gathering.

IFA president John Bryan, who will preside at the meeting in the Shearwater Hotel, said the aim is to gather views from those living along rivers. This will help in developing an effective policy that will ensure the impact of flooding can be minimised in the future.

“We cannot continue to have different agencies having a role in decisions that caused such devastation last November and December,” he said.

Mr Bryan said the IFA would be seeking the implementation of an effective flood management system to prevent a repeat of the destruction caused by the recent flooding.

Michael Silke, who is to head up a new IFA Project Team to deal with river maintenance and flooding, will also address the forum.

Minister of State Martin Mansergh, who has responsibility for the Office of Public Works, has accepted an invitation to attend, while Environment Minister John Gormley has also been invited.

The ESB, Waterways Ireland and the Office of Public Works will be represented while Oireachtas, local authority and European Parliament members are also being invited to take part in the discussion.

Meanwhile, an IFA delegation of potato growers, led by Mr Bryan, met with Agriculture Minister Brendan Smith and Oireachtas Agriculture Committee chairman Johnny Brady on the impact of the recent freezing conditions on the potato crop.

The delegation pointed out that an estimated that 6,500 acres (22%) of the national crop still remains in the ground and can’t be harvested. It urged the minister to come forward with a support package for the affected growers.

Mr Bryan said the minister had agreed to an IFA request that his department would assess the seriousness of situation with the individual potato growers.