FF leader visits flood-hit areas

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin met residents in flood-hit communities during a whistle-stop tour of South Galway and Clare on Friday.
Accompanied by Clare FF Deputy Timmy Dooley, Deputy Martin stopped off in some of the areas worst affected by the recent flooding, which has left numerous residents cut off from their own homes.
His tour started in South Galway where he spoke to householders in the Gort area and his itinerary included New Quay, Boston, Tubber and Springfield on the outskirts of Clonlara.
According to Deputy Dooley, the Fianna Fáil leader doesn’t want to make a “political showcase” out of his visit but was anxious to show his empathy with people who have been badly hit by flooding and hear first hand their experiences.
“Micheál Martin wants to inform himself on a nationwide basis about the individual situations so that FF can devise comprehensive solutions to the flooding problems, which have arisen.
“Every political party needs to engage with individual cases. As a result of the extent of the flooding, political parties will have to set aside more money for flood relief, defence and dredging. Any priorities for national expenditure will have to take into account the fallout from the floods.
“As parties finalise their party manifestos, they will have to take into consideration the whole flooding issue,” he said.
Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney met Springfield residents who have been forced to leave their homes during his visit on Sunday morning.
Sinn Féin leader, Gerry Adams also visited houses and land hit by flooding in Springfield on Thursday.

Dan Danaher