Farmers are concerned about the focus on larger urban centres within the Shannon Flood Risk Management Plan (FRMP) and say that farmland and smaller villages will still suffer. “There is not near enough dredging in the plan,” said IFA flood project chair Padraic Joyce, who met with Minister for State at Office of Public Works OPW and Flood Relief Sean Canney recently to discuss the matter.

“I’ve visited areas along the Shannon, and there has been growth of alluvial islands from a build-up of silt over the years. Those obstacles need to be removed, as they are obstructing the flow of water. As well as that some of the lakes on the Shannon need more capacity to handle winter flooding.”

The IFA is calling for further dredging and widening of the Shannon to be included in the FRMP, one of 29 in the country, which will inform the national priority list once approved. The public consultation process for the Shannon FRMP ends on Friday 23 September.

“Rivers are higher than this time last year, we are lobbying politicians all the time. What farmers want to see is some activity,” Joyce said. He added that in his meeting with Canney he was assured that the OPW are able to “go ahead with some minor works at the moment”.

Flood victim Andrew McHugh from Co Longford, has expressed serious concerns about the CFRAMS report.

“We would have grave concerns that farmers and rural dwellers have essentially been excluded from the CFRAMS report,” the farmer said.

“To say that we will examine agriculture and farming six years down the line really isn’t good enough. Flooding has significant financial as well as emotional impacts on the lives of farmers and rural dwellers. For the OPW and others to exclude these groups from the CFRAMS reports just isn’t right,” McHugh insisted.