Central government funding needed to drain all rivers in Carrick-on-Shannon district

Central government funding is needed to help drain all the rivers and their tributaries in the Carrick- on-Shannon Municipal District.

The issue was raised by Cllr Sean McGowan at the latest meeting of the Carrick MD where he called on the OPW to provide funding over the next number of years to clean and dredge all the small rivers that the Council has responsibility for and which feed into the main rivers and lakes within the Carrick-on-Shannon Municipal District.

A reply from Joseph Gilhooly, Director of Services, Economic Development, Planning, Environment and Transportation, stated,

“This Council has had numerous discussions with the OPW about funding for cleaning the small rivers in the county. Their response to us on July 19, 2021 still stands.

“Therefore the rivers that Leitrim County Council has responsibility for are within the drainage districts and are the responsibility of Leitrim County Council. The financial allocation to same was increased in Budget 2023.

“They also mention that the OPW provides funding under their Minor Works Scheme to provide funding for projects,” the reply concluded.

Darragh O’Boyle, District Engineer, said there are five different drainage districts in Leitrim. There is a budget of €10,000 per municipal district to carry out works.

Leitrim business wins major accolade at 2023 Good Food Ireland Awards

In the Carrick district the funding rotates between the Eslin, Headford and Rinn & Black rivers.

He said there is a 100% increase in funding this year and it is hoped to do twice as much work depending on the works required and landowners' consent.

The €20,000 funding this year is going on the Eslin river and he is hopeful it would do 20 kms of drainage.

Cllr Finola Armstrong-McGuire welcomed the significant increase in the funding while Cllr Des Guckian supported the motion and said all those rivers need to be cleaned and dredged.

He added his belief that “there is clearly a hidden policy” to hold back the waters and ensure the Shannon floods the land. He also said it was a pity the drainage boards were got rid of.

Cllr Enda Stenson said doubling the budget locally is only a small amount and they needed a central government initiative to come and do the work.

Cllr McGowan said there are also a number of small tributaries flowing into those rivers and he was told they are also included.
Cllr McGowan said all they could do as local politicians is keep lobbying the senior politicians to get the necessary funding for the works.

Meanwhile, Cllr Thomas Mulligan reminded the officials of the short stretch of river in Mohill in front of the library and asked that it be done.