Waterways Ireland has been urged to work with farmers who are facing serious flooding on the Shannon, as the agency initiates a new tourism masterplan for the river.

IFA Connacht chair Pat Murphy said that it would be a “win, win” for everyone if the state agency recognised that management of the river extended beyond the tourist market.

He was responding to the opening of a public consultation by Waterways Ireland on a new Shannon draft tourism masterplan and associated environmental report.

Waterways Ireland, Fáilte Ireland and 10 local authorities are involved in the plan, stating it aims to make the region a “key tourism destination within Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands, identifying world class visitor experiences based on the region’s natural and cultural assets”.

Murphy said that the IFA respects Waterways Ireland’s role in tourism, and has no issue with it, but repeated flooding of the river is a serious issue.

“We call for one single authority to be responsible for Shannon management – and to be held responsible,” Murphy emphasised.

Crisis

Murphy says he concurs with Mid-Shannon flood relief group chairman Michael Silke that there is a “crisis”, which has to be an absolute priority for a new government.

Silke has proposed that the river could be naturally diverted on to bogland which could provide a natural sponge, while several pinch points between Athlone and Meelick could alleviate flooding.

“I would not like to see farmland flooded, but if bogs can be flooded, that could be an answer,” Murphy said.

“Individual farmers are really suffering, and Athlone and Carrick-on-Shannon are at risk far more regularly.”

Murphy has expressed concern about the mental health of some affected farmers , saying: “All they really want is a small little bit of hope.”

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