Tánaiste Micheál Martin has said what the communities around Lough Funshinagh are experiencing is "quite shocking".
Today, he visited residents affected by ongoing flooding in south Roscommon to hear how the ongoing flooding is impacting them.
People affected by the threat of losing their homes, and others whose land has been flooded, met with the Tánaiste and relevant agencies to discuss interim and long-term plans to drain some water from the turlough.
"There is a very compelling case for intervention here, and we'll see what we can do. This would be a matter for further discussion at Government level," Mr Martin said.
Speaking to the media he denied there was any scepticism surrounding the timing of his visit ahead of the local elections saying, "elections come and go, it doesn't change the need to resolve this issue".
On a recent visit to the area, the Minister for the Office of Public Works Kieran O’Donnell said they are looking at temporary measures to drain a metre of water before the end of the summer.
Mr O’Donnell also indicated a permanent solution to the crisis, involving an overflow pipe, will not be in place until Winter 2025.
Today, the Tánaiste did not have any further update or timeframe to offer residents on these plans, but outlined what is currently underway.
"There has been comprehensive legal advice made available to Government both from the Attorney General's office and from senior counsel.
"They’ve been asked to review all of that and that advice is very clear that there has to be planning applied for in respect of completing a pipeline, regularising that development, and ensuring that alleviation measures have a strong foundation in planning," he said.
Mr Martin also confirmed that an engineering company in the environmental area had been tasked with examining what can be done in the interim in respect of next winter.
He said the company has yet to report back to the OPW and to the county council.
"I will go back to Government. I think the situation is perilous. It is extremely serious for the residents of this area. And the water has risen to record highs again this year over and above what happened in 2021.
"There's both a human disaster here in terms of the impact on the lives of those living here in terms of mental well-being, physical danger, loss of agricultural land and farmland and livelihoods essentially.
"And then there's an ecological disaster as well in terms of our natural areas of conservation, which I know in terms of the wildlife and so on has been destroyed also."
Mr Martin's visit was met with mixed views by residents with some remaining optimistic and others giving up hope of any resolution.
Matthew Beattie’s parent’s house is at risk of flooding in Ballagh, he is also Chair of the Lough Funshinagh Flood Crisis Group.
He discussed the mental anguish experienced by residents and landowners living in constant fear of losing their homes and believes the Tánaiste recognises the impact the situation is having on people.
"I suppose the worry is that out of today's visit, there is nothing really concrete at the moment as to what that short term will look like.
"I think it's pretty definite to say that the community cannot survive another winter, they've gone through hell in relation to this.
"There isn't capacity in this lake to hold another winter’s water regardless of what way the rains come. I think today is important, but I think the follow up is equally important," Mr Beattie said.
Tommy Carney whose split-level home in Ballagh flooded during Storm Kathleen believes that by visiting his home the Tánaiste now understands how difficult the situation is, and he has outlined the difficulties in solving it.
"I’m very happy that everybody including the county council, OPW and all the agencies are doing their utmost to solve the problem. I do get relief from that and certainly with a view to the long-term solution.
"But our big concern is the temporary solution to remove at least a metre of water off the top of the lake this summer so that we survive next winter. There’s no indication yet of when that temporary measure can be achieved," Mr Carney said.
Another resident in Ballagh, Mary Beattie, is not optimistic that the Tánaiste, Taoiseach or any other minister is going to solve the problem.
"They’re all coming looking but none of them are doing anything. They said this is going to take over a year and if we spend another six or seven months, if the winter is bad then we’re gone (flooded).
"We elect a Government and I thought they could rule the country, and still they don’t know how to stop this and override the law and get the pipe going," she said.
The lake is a metre above Ms Beattie’s house and farm and is being held back by flood defences and pumps, while the road outside her home has been raised.
"We had a man sick here the other night and the ambulance had to come across the field for him which is very unfair," Ms Beattie said.
Fionnuala Mee-McHugh has a farm near Curraghboy where some residents had to move out of their homes last month.
She said she is "thankful" that the Tánaiste has taken the time to visit the communities.
"It gives us optimism that he’s supporting us that he's going to get us a solution, him and the Government are going to get as a solution.
"It's very powerful for people to come here because it has to be seen to be believed. And for him to come down, he can now understand what we're living through for the last number of years," Ms McMugh said.
