Councillor says flood risks not being addressed

A West Mayo councillor has called for "joined-up thinking" on flood management, noting that measures are not being taken to reduce the causes of flooding.

Louisburgh-based Cllr Chris Maxwell made his comments at last week's meeting of Mayo County Council when he called on council management to address a number of issues that have the potential to cause serious flooding in his area this winter.

“We are heading into the winter again and the flooding issue from last year is still not fixed and our rivers are still flooding all the time. Along Carrowniskey, we just wanted the rivers opened up and the trees encroaching on them cut, as they are endangering houses and residents. 

"We were told surveys had to be carried out first but it was only two weeks ago LAWPRO (Local Authority Waters Programme) finally came out and what they told us is they intend to plant willows alongside the trees and not cut them or the bushes at all. The farmers could not believe what they were hearing. One official even told a sheep farmer he was using the wrong type of fencing. 

"What are these officials? They don’t know what they are talking about. They won’t open up the mouth of the river for us to ensure the water drains. They won’t cut the trees. It beggars belief what is going on. Even the ducks can’t land on the river now, it is so closed in.” 

Cllr Maxwell said farmers along the Erriff River faced a similar dilemma as their land is covered in silt that came down from the mountains during a rain storm. 

“Permission was got from [Inland Fisheries Ireland] to clean this up, but two days after the work started, National Parks and Wildlife arrived and warned the farmers their payments would be in jeopardy if they carried on. 

"What is going on with organisations in this country? Nobody knows what the right or left hand is doing. We need to get these bodies together, maybe as a strategic policy committee on LAWPRO and put forward a plan that will deal with this once and for all. 

"The council has to lead on this. Houses are being flooded, roads and council roads are being destroyed but zero action is being taken.”

• Published as part of the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme