Coveney to view storm damage and flooding

Clare farmers along the estuary who have seen their lands swamped by recent flooding will be making their case for a funding reprieve from government when Minister for Agriculture and Marine, Simon Coveney visits the county this afternoon.

But Minister Coveney will not be concentrating his visit on areas of flooding , he will also survey some of the damage experienced by coastal communities, areas hardest-hit by Storms Christine and Bridgid.

Minister Coveney, who will be accompanied on his visit by Clare TDs Pat Breen and Joe Carey and Senator Tony Mulcahy, is due at Liscannor Pier at 2.30pm. He will then head down along the coastline to Ballynacally and Kildysart where vast tracts of land, an estimated 1,200 acres,  have been submerged with flood water after the embankments in the Shannon were breached.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has admitted not enough money has been earmarked for flood defence works in the years ahead, but Clare Fine Gael TD Pat Breen has expressed confidence that Clare will get sufficient funding.