John Dillon, IFA president
The Irish Farmers' Association has called on the Government to make an immediate application to the EU for emergency aid for the 40 families whose homes and farms were damaged by the north Mayo landslide.
The IFA President, John Dillon, in the area today, says farmers have suffered serious losses and will need significant assistance.
Farm families in the landslide zone are still counting the cost of the disaster. Last night they told RTÉ News the figure could be between €10m and €12m.
Mayo County Council says it will cost €3m to repair roads and bridges. Local residents say it will take twice that amount to re-build or replace badly damaged houses, re-stock farms, and remove the thousands of tons of debris which is scattered over their land.
Mr Dillon wants the Government to take the matter to Brussels. He says French and German farmers who suffered flood and forest fire damage last year were compensated from the Emergency Fund for Natural Disasters. He believes the Mayo farmers should qualify for similar assistance.
Concern over further landslides
Meanwhile, there is continuing concern over risk of further landslides. Mayo County Council says one large area of dislodged peat is continuing to slide down the hill which overlooks the village of Glengad.
