Government urged to create single body to tackle waters and flooding

The ICMSA says the State should create a single authority for waters and flooding, adding that overall responsibility for a nationwide response has been diluted by the “plethora” of agencies covering the issue.

ICMSA president John Comer said the country needs a national waterways authority that would take over responsibility for the oversight and maintenance of the State’s internal waterways and designated stretches of coastline.

“We have county councils, the Department of the Environment, OPW, National Parks and Wildlife Service, the ESB, various fisheries boards — even the Land Commission has some residual issues in certain parts of the state despite the fact that it was abolished decades ago,” Mr Comer said.