Hundreds of farmers yesterday protested outside the Civic Offices in Athlone to coincide with the OPW public consultation on the Shannon CFRAMS Flood Management Plan.
The President of the Irish Farmers Asssociation (IFA), Joe Healy said farmers are very angry that no work has yet proceeded to avoid the recurrence of the severe floods of last winter.
He called on the Government to set out an immediate plan of action, including timelines, for works that will take place and will have an impact on future flood events.
Those in attendance at yesterday’s protest came mainly from Longford, Leitrim, Roscommon, Offaly, Westmeath, Galway and Clare.
IFA President, Joe Healy said, "The winter floods had a devastating impact on the livelihoods of thousands of farmers and on rural dwellers who remain fearful that the situation will be repeated because no action has been taken action to prevent it."
He added, "The onus is on the Government to act. Promises are wearing very thin with the thousands of people living and farming adjacent to the Shannon and surrounding areas, including turloughs."
Source: www.businessworld.ie
