Minister O'Donovan supports Roscommon County Council’s urgent works to prevent flooding at Lough Funshinagh

Minister of State for the Office of Public Works, Mr. Patrick O’Donovan, T.D, has pledged his support for Roscommon County Council’s planned emergency intervention at Lough Funshinagh to stop the immediate risk of flooding posed by the lake’s high water table to properties and public roads in and around the area. In response to a letter received on 19 May from the Chief Executive of Roscommon County Council seeking the assistance of the Office of Public Works (OPW) in carrying out urgent works to install an emergency overflow pipe from Lough Funshinagh to the River Shannon, the Minister confirmed that the OPW will supply the resources requested so that the emergency works can commence without delay.

Speaking to Eugene Cummins, the Council’s Chief Executive, this evening, the Minister reiterated his support for the course of action he has taken and the OPW’s assistance in the matter:

“I want to reassure Roscommon County Council and the local community at Lough Funshinagh that we stand by you and that we will assist you with the emergency works required to protect properties and public roads. I promised full Government support in January to Roscommon County Council to help avert damage from potential flood victims, and, having received the urgent appeal for assistance today, I have instructed the OPW to provide whatever resources are required in terms of labour or equipment to facilitate the Council’s preventive flood mitigation works.”

The OPW and Roscommon County Council have a long history of collaborating on infrastructural projects and will continue to work very closely with the Chief Executive in delivering these emergency works. The Council’s decision to intervene is prompted by recent reports and a Hydrological Update on Lough Funshinagh it has received which predict flooding levels next winter to exceed previous records and which pose a risk to life should the temporary interventions such as continuous defensive pumping and the raising of public roads fail. Starting construction on the overflow pipe now will ensure enough time to lower the water level of the lake in advance of next winter.

-ENDS-

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