Galway flooding is “putting livelihoods on the line”, according to East Galway TD

By Keith Faherty

The scale of flooding in County Galway has been described as “putting livelihoods on the line” by East Galway TD, Anne Rabbitte.

According to Met Éireann charts, the flooding was a result of heavy rainfall. Back in 1999, a similar scenario happened in these areas resulting in farmers having to use borrowed boats to bring fodder to their animals.

Galway East TD, Anne Rabbitte has suggested that “if the government wants to tackle the issue of flooding in any serious way, they need to provide adequate funding for flood defences; it’s as simple as that,” she said.

Flooding in places like the Gort lowlands and Portumna is by far the worst this year.

“I was told last year that the long-promised flood gate for Portumna could take up to ten years to deliver which is scandalous”, said the Fianna Fáil TD.

Flooded land has already impacted farmers and restrictions on the spreading of slurry is a “double blow for farmers”, according to Ms Rabbite.

“The impact this is having on families, farmers and businesses cannot be understated. It’s putting livelihoods on the line. This could be delivered by the end of the year is the political will was there in government,” said Ms Rabbitte.