Show us the money, minister, is call from those affected by Clare floods

It’s all “sympathy, encouragement, and photo shoots”, but it’s time we saw the colour of the minister’s money, said the mayor of Clare after Simon Coveney visited storm-damaged parts of the county yesterday.

The Agriculture, Food, and the Marine Minister saw the damage to the centuries-old pier and harbour in Liscannor and visited some of the worst-hit parts of Clare, where roads and flood defences were washed away, homes flooded and thousands of acres of land submerged.

Liscannor fisherman Michael O’Connell said he told the minister how he has suffered.

“The first and most important thing that needs to be done though is to clear the harbour of all the stones and rocks,” said Mr O’Connell. “If we launch our boats. we won’t be able to go anywhere until that’s done. The fishing season starts for us on St Patrick’s Day so it will have to be done before that.”

Fine Gael mayor of Clare Joe Arkins said: “I’m glad the minister came down to see the damage for himself but it’s all sympathy, encouragement, and photo shoots and it’s time we saw the colour of the minister’s money. I take him at his word when he says he has a budget and will be able to do something for us.”