SUMMER FLOODING:Farmers along the river Shannon are the most affected by flooding and water damage from the poor summer weather, Irish Farmers' Association president John Bryan has said.
Mr Bryan was critical of the management of water levels in the Shannon which is currently undertaken by the OPW, the ESB and Waterways Ireland.
An IFA spokesman has said the problem lies with the various agencies “pulling in different directions”.
Edward Delahunt (63), a farmer from Lusmagh, Co Offaly, said he had “three fields of water” and had never seen the situation so bad.
He also claimed the problem lay with the mismanagement of the Shannon.
“As far as we’re concerned there is no liaison between the agencies involved,” Mr Delahunt added. “We need a single authority to take the management of water by the scruff of the neck.
“We had 36 hours of rain before sluices or gates to control the levels of water were opened. It’s not good enough. They have to act ahead of a flood coming.”