Several Laois County Councillors spoke passionately about the importance of cleaning our rivers, as the results of climate change continue to cause havoc.
Ireland’s southern coast is again being badly affected by heavy rainfall and flooding, and Laois’s local representatives feel we will meet a similar fate if measures are not taken immediately.
The matter arose during the meeting of Laois County Council, where Cllrs were being briefed on the public consultation process for the Council’s Climate Action Plan.
Cllr Willie Aird demanded that the Government be convinced of the importance of cleaning rivers to prevent the affects of the ever-increasing rainfall Ireland has been experiencing.
He said local authorities were being prevented from cleaning rivers, and urged for a return to dredging of rivers.
Dredging is the removal of sediments and debris from the bottom of lakes, rivers, harbours, and other water bodies.
It is a routine necessity in waterways around the world because sedimentation (the natural process of sand and silt washing downstream) gradually fills channels, preventing water from flowing freely.
Cllr Aird said that the problem has exacerbated due to the massive increase in houses and roads leaving less land to soak up excess water.
Cllr Ollie Clooney said that rather than negatively interfering with the flora and fauna in and around rivers, the dredging process would lead to healthier fish and animals.
“The time for talking is over. This is a very, serious matter,” Cllr Clooney said.
“It’s seriously harming farmers’ income… and the people that are making these decisions and red tape need to come down and see this first-hand.”
Cllr Aisling Moran claimed that an EU law which every other country in Europe uses to clean their rivers is used by Ireland to not clean ours.
According Cllr James Kelly, geo-coding maps were blocking people from getting house insurance, which in turn was affecting their mortgages.
There was cross-party support for the measures, with Cllr John King calling for the construction of barrier banks to prevent flooding.
“Climate change is here to stay,” he said.
Cllr PJ Kelly, meanwhile, drew on his own agricultural background, saying increased flooding is an animal welfare issue.
