Councillors express concerns over flood taskforce findings
Editorial Department • Published 14 Jul 2011 13:00
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INDEPENDENT Fermanagh District Councillor Bernice Swift says she is "not altogether satisfied" by a Multi Agency Working Group report which outlines progress made on the Flooding Taskforce's recommendations for flooding in the County.
During the recent Development Committee meeting members were told the report concluded that implementation of some of the recommendations had been completed, some work was ongoing and some was dependent on funding becoming available.
The Council also resolved at the Council meeting to facilitate the British Red Cross by providing accommodation for a researcher to carry out a study on the impact of flooding in the western counties.
But during the monthly full Council meeting, Ms Swift said there were wider flooding issues which, as yet, had not been addressed.
"The report makes recommendations for road rising and things like that but it doesn't address the issues for farmers whose land is completely under water and as a result are faced with a massive loss of stock and feed and have to go down South to get their Winter fodder."
She also criticised comments that people in Fermanagh needed to be "resilient" against future flooding.
"It's rather unfair for that kind of statement to be bandied about -- that people are expected to be much more resilient, so the government can take less responsibility. It puts more burden on those affected.
"It is not enough to say 'be resilient' when those in high places aren't getting their feet wet. The Taskforce need to be made aware constantly that as soon as the rain fall hits Fermanagh we have these issues again. They tend to forget when we have beautiful weather.
"So the Taskforce needs to be constantly reminded of the issues here because it is all very well when people sitting in a dry office to forget what happens when the winter months come."
Chief Executive Brendan Hegarty agreed there were wider issues requiring attention, and added that the current lack of funding to address other recommendations was a "matter of concern".
"In terms of compensation and other issues, we may need to consider a wider response," he agreed.
Chairman, Thomas O'Reilly suggested the matter be raised again at the next Development Committee meeting.
This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 14 Jul 11
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