Fianna Fáil TD for Galway East Anne Rabbitte has called on the Minister for Flood Relief Kevin Boxer Moran to revisit the Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management Study (CFRAMS) study and to include the coastal area of Kinvara.

It comes following severe flooding in the wake of Storm Eleanor, which has seen large parcels of land submerged and families marooned in their homes.

Deputy Rabbitte commented, “The CFRAMS study is almost 7 years in the making, but over the last 2 years we have seen devastating weather events and flooding become more common.  I have spent much of today visiting flood affected areas in east Galway where land has been completely saturated and families have been marooned.  There are 9 homes near Traught in Kinvara which have been completely cut off as a result of the floods which came with Storm Eleanor.

“Roads have been submerged and the blue flag beach at Traught has been devastated – which could have a major impact on tourism in the area.  Despite the widespread damage which has been inflicted in this area as a result of Storm Eleanor, there was no flood threat identified in the current CFRAMS plan.

“I would like the Minister for Flood Relief to revisit this area in the plan in light of the current situation.  There is no doubt that measures will need to be undertaken to mitigate against any future flood threat.  The current plans are simply not up to date and should be revised to reflect the storm and flood damage which has been suffered by people living in this area in recent years”.