Thousands of acres remain underwater on banks of Shannon

THE plight of farmers whose lands adjoin the River Shannon in six counties was highlighted yesterday as floods reached record levels.

Thousands of acres remained flooded and inaccessible. Cattle and horses have had to be moved from water-logged sheds and stables, and rural roads have been closed.

Action was sought from the Government to alleviate the age-old problem of flooding along the Shannon banks stretching from Leitrim, Roscommon and Galway to Westmeath, East Clare, Offaly and Limerick.

The Irish Farmers’ Association called for a relief fund for the farm families worst affected by the floods and the putting in place of a national flood management plan.

IFA Munster vice president Sean O’Leary said the plan must include the environmental management of the rivers and streams, which for years have been both neglected and ignored.

“Farmers will not be able to endure the cost replacing fodder and cleaning the damage when the flood eventually subsides,” he said.

Connacht vice president Michael Silke and Mr O’Leary led an IFA delegation at a two-hour meeting with the ESB at Ardnachrusha Power Plant to highlight the situation.

The IFA said it had sought a commitment from ESB chief executive Padraig McManus to make flood management a priority.

It also put forward a suggestion that extra sluice gates would be built to improve the flow of water, and ease the hardship for people living nearby.

Mr O’Leary said the Office of Public Works announced the commencement of a landmark flood management programme for the River Shannon almost three years ago.

It was to address the ongoing flooding problems by moving the water through the river more efficiently. The failure to commence this work now leaves these rural communities in a deplorable state, he said.

IFA president Padraig Walshe welcomed €2m tohelp flood-hit farms. Some €140 million in other farm payments due in January will be paid in December to ease financial pressure.

The Department of Social Welfare, local authorities, gardaí and other community leaders will work together to distribute the funds.