“Protecting our wild life seems to be more important than public protection” – angry clds for rivers and flows that are not credited

The problem was raised by the fine counselor Gael, John Michael Foley, under the suspension of permanent orders.

The debate led to strong contributions from several politicians, because counselors expressed concern about the current laws that prevent the plans to delete flows and rivers.

Counselors said that not loving flows and rivers together with constant rainfall contribute to floods in communities.

CLLR Foley highlighted two areas of West Cork, which gave up the floods on Sunday, February 23. “On the R603 road from Bandon to Kilbrittain, where the stream broke out in a series of places and flooded the severe road. It made the road impassible for several hours. The second road in the village of Baslinascarty, where the river broke out its banks and seriously flooded the village that entered buildings and business. “

CLLR Foley continued: “Both in Kilbrittain and Baslinascarthy, the flow must be eliminated by debris and deep to solve the problem. We all cleanse the shoots and drains around our homes, but we cannot clean the scraps on the streams or waterways because of the laws that forbid us to reach our water. “

CLLR Foley has requested an “urgent” revision of the arterial drainage law, which requires the prior agreement of the Public Works Office (OPW) for the construction and modification of bridges, moments and terraces. “The protection of our wild life from which they are very in favor seems to be more important than protecting the public. I request an urgent review of our arterial drainage law to ensure the correct maintenance of our rivers and flows to ensure that there is no danger to the roads, properties or human life. “

The mayor of Cork County, CLLR Joe Carroll said: “We would like 1 billion euros to sort the roads in West Cork. Since 2008, the Cork County Council has decreased by EUR 275 million. This money would have done excellent work on bridges, roads and waterways. “

“A bit of common sense has to prevail once,” said Ireland’s independent counselor, Danny Collins, said: “What about people’s living. We should resort to interior fishing and OPW in a development meeting. “

Fine Gael counselor Michael Creed agreed that it is a huge problem in the whole Cork County: “We need our cleaned rivers. The water cannot flow with trees and branches that grow in the middle of the rivers. We have funding a few years ago to delete the river in Ballingeary and Incinigeela. None of these two villages has flooded since.

“If we are not allowed clean rivers and let us flow, we waste our time. We are more worried about fish pearls and fresh water than about people, houses and properties being destroyed, ”he added.

Councilor Fianna Fáil, Frank O’Flynn, said that the law must be relieved and suggested to write to the Minister of State with responsibility for the Public Works Office “Boxer” Moran.

Independent Councilor William O’Leary has highlighted the continuous problems in Rathcormac. “We have two flows in Rathcormac. One causes a problem, because the culvert that takes the water is not large enough. The second stream is a small flow that is a tributary of the river bride, but it begins to burst its banks in a series of locations due to the lack of dredging. “

The executive director of the Cork County Council, Moira Murrell, said there have been a lot of progress with flood rescue schemes in recent years. “Within the minor works program we have 15 schemes in progress with OPW. There are a lot of involvement with OPW and many investments that come. “

“Cleaning the flows is complex,” said CEO. “In relation to the pearl midia, it is one of the designated European protected species. Where we develop ourselves we have to do this sensitive. I support the minister’s writing and OPW. We are very willing to get involved on it. I would also welcome the involvement between the Strategic Policy Committee (SPC) and interior fishing. “

Interim County Engineer with Cork County Council, John Slattery, agreed that an involvement with Ireland of interior fishing is required. “It is the responsibility of the landowners to keep the channel clear. If a channel of the river in my property required the love and I could not wipe the channel and led to the floods upstream, then they can be responsible. There is legal responsibility.

“We have to engage with interior fishing Ireland. There is that legal framework in which we are all obliged to work, ”he added.

Mr. Slattery also offered an update to the CFRAM program.

Rathcormac was initially identified for the proposed flood rescue schemes in 2018 within CFRAM (risk assessment and risk management risk management).

Rathcormac was allocated for works in Trache 2 of the scheme within the ten -year program.

Mr. Slattery said: “There is no approval of a local authority still at national level for installment two schemes. This is an area that we will focus in making these schemes. “

Carroll county mayor said something should be done regarding the cleaning of rivers and flows. “It is very difficult to explain to people that we can do nothing, because there are a few pearls underneath. It is not good enough. We must bring it to a higher level.

“We have to change our attitude here. There is something like nature, but we are also part of nature. Much of our problems is the pearl midia under the bridge. I am sick and tired of this, “he added.

CLLR Foley agreed and asked for urgency. “All flows and rivers in the country must be drained. We need to write to the minister, OPW, the interior fishing Ireland as an emergency problem. Farmers are more than willing to delete leaks on their own land, but they are afraid to do so. We need clarity. “

It was agreed that a letter will be sent to the Minister, OPW and IFI, requesting a review of the arterial drainage law and seeking a meeting on the possibility of allowing more flows and rivers to reduce the risk of flood.