Lough Funshinagh flooding crisis raised with EU Commission – MacManus & Kerrane

Sinn Féin MEP Chris MacManus has welcomed a commitment from the European Commission to engage with the National Parks and Wildlife Service regarding critical flooding issues around Lough Funshinagh in Co Roscommon. The Midlands Northwest MEP was speaking after a meeting he had arranged between representatives from the Lough Funshinagh Flood Crisis Committee and the EU Commission Director for Biodiversity, Humberto Delgado Rosa, alongside his Sinn Féin colleague and Roscommon-Galway TD Claire Kerrane.

MEP MacManus said:
“I was pleased to facilitate this meeting between representatives from the Lough Funshinagh Flood Crisis Committee and the European Commission alongside my colleague Claire Kerrane TD.”

“We impressed upon the Commission officials the devastating impact of the flooding on the local community and the damage caused to local homes, farms, and the environment and the urgency of finding a solution.”

“It was very positive to hear Director Delgado Rosa indicate that the EU’s Habitats Directive should not prevent emergency work taking place to protect the SAC and that it should not take several years for an appropriate assessment to take place. He also agreed to engage with the National Parks and Wildlife Service on these issues which is very welcome.”

“It is crucial that the NPWS accelerate this process so that a solution can be implemented as soon as possible, and I hope that the Commission’s intervention will ensure that this happens.”

“I will continue to work with Claire and the local community to press for a solution and to prevent further devastation to the local area.”

Claire Kerrane TD concluded:
“I would call on the NPWS to engage on the ground. The ‘so-called’ SAC is damaged and they have a role and a responsibility here.”

“It is essential that the solution on the table is progressed without any further delay. Families affected by this long-running issue have to come first. This has gone on for far too long.” ENDS

Below: Chris MacManus MEP and Claire Kerrane TD pictured at Lough Funshinagh