Tipperary TD says lack of river maintenance is causing local flooding

Tipperary TD Jackie Cahill TD has today criticised the lack of river maintenance in rural Ireland and said is causing flooding in many areas around the country.

Deputy Cahill has called for the policy to be reviewed that is preventing many rivers from being cleaned so that water courses can run more smoothy and effectively, and prevent the flooding of properties in many areas.

Speaking today, the Chairperson of the Oireachtas Agriculture Committee said:

“It is vital that we see our rivers being cleaned up again if we are to save many areas from flooding during excess rain fall. We have seen areas devastated in recent times as a result of flooding arising out of heavy rains, and while some of this can only be prevented by increasing flood defence systems, it is clear that much damage to property could be prevented if the OPW was to start properly cleaning rivers again.

“If rivers are not as free as possible to allow water to flow through them, the end result can only be flooding.

“I visited a local river just outside Thurles last week, and the growth was gone so bad in it that I could almost have walked across the river. This is completely hindering the flow of water and this needs to change.

“Flooding is becoming more of a common occurrence, unfortunately, but we need to take some common sense steps to do the best work we can to prevent people’s property from being flooded and damaged beyond repair. It is absolutely devastating for people to see their life’s work submerged in water due to a flood, whether that be their home or business.

“Of course, we have to be conscious of the environment and the need for biodiversity, but we also have to be conscious of the fact that the primary job of a river is to carry water, and if rivers are not cleared to flow effectively, flooding is going to continue to happen and continue to get worse.

“The OPW must publish a comprehensive plan to clear our rivers,” said Mr Cahill.