Sinn Féin to host public meeting on flooding

Sinn Féin is to host a public meeting this Thursday, February 27in the Shamrock Lodge Hotel at 8pm on Athlone’s current flooding problems and possible EU Solidarity Funding. Martin Ferris TD and Matt Carthy, Sinn Féin’s EU candidate for Midlands, North and West, will address the meeting.
Local Sinn Féin Councillor Paul Hogan commented on the forthcoming meeting:
“In recent weeks, I have been inundated with queries in relation to flooding. There is huge concern, anger and frustration locally regarding the very high levels of water in the town. I have invited Cllr. Matt Carthy, the Sinn Féin EU candidate for Midlands, North and West and Deputy Martin Ferris to address a public meeting in the town to discuss the issue of flooding, lack of flood defences, the CFRAM report and possible EU Solidarity Funding.
“I have arranged to do a walk around the worst affected areas in Athlone during the day and talk to the people on the ground, who were affected in 2009 and who fear the worst again this year.
“All of the key institutional stakeholders must play a cohesive role to defend people’s property and infrastructure. Local Authorities, Government and the European Union all have roles to play to defend against flooding. It is five years since the worst flooding Athlone has ever experienced and very little has been done. Flood Defences have been stalled because of a Ministerial Directive not to proceed with flood defences until the CFRAM report has been published. This is not good enough. Government funding for flood victims have been absolutely inadequate.
Homeowners, businesses and service providers need urgent practical and financial aid from government, outside the terms of their private insurance if they have any, to alleviate the impact on people.
 
“Next, the government must put in place measures to minimise flooding and flood damage. This will require capital funding to expand and strengthen flood walls and defences. This must be done in consultation with local authorities.
 
“Meanwhile longer term solutions must be found. It is nothing short of a disgrace that after three years in power that the Government still has not published a Climate Change Bill. Not to take action on climate change is a total abdication of responsibility. The government must publish a climate change bill as a matter of urgency.
 
“In relation to the EU, we must be making a case at Governmental level and through the Commission that the threshold for emergency aid from the EU fund be altered. The EU Solidarity Fund must also be used for flood victims.
 
“I am encouraging and inviting everyone to attend this information meeting in the Shamrock Lodge Hotel on Thursday evening at 8pm.