Flooding victims take compensation case to Europe

FOUR families devastated by the loss of their homes due to flooding took their case to Europe in a desperate effort to get some compensation from the state.

Fine Gael MEP Jim Higgins told the petitions committee of the European Parliament that it was well known that the area where Galway County Council gave permission to build was subject to flooding.

“I know because when I was a minister in the Government in 1994-5 I commissioned a study and maps to be drawn up of the areas liable to flooding and said that planning permission should not be given for those areas,” he told his fellow MEPs.

But while the council dictates the colour of roof tiles, the size of windows and doors and the direction houses must face, they felt under no obligation to warn the sites were subject to flooding, Mr Higgins said.

“They (the flooding victims) can neither get compensation from the Irish Government or insurance cover because their properties are located in flood plains,” he said.

Anthony and Bernadette McGough simply gave up in desperation, abandoned the house and emigrated to Australia.

Another family renovated their home on the understanding that they were to receive compensation, but have not got any.

Independent MEP Marian Harkin suggested that the Petitions Committee write to the local authorities, the Government and the ombudsman asking how they intend to resolve the problem.

The committee agreed to do so, but since the EU has no power in this area all it can do is pressurise the authorities to respond properly to the victims.