I ask Leitrim County Council what measures it will take to address the landslide outside Drumkeeran and if it will outline proposed works to deal with with this matter, both by itself and other agencies.
Minutes:
As motions no 5, 10 & 12 are relating to the same issue it was agreed to take these motions together.
Motion from Councillor Padraig Fallon:
"I ask Leitrim County Council what measures it will take to address the landslide outside Drumkeeran and if it will outline proposed works to deal with this matter, both by itself and other agencies."
Motion from Councillor Justin Warnock:
"I ask Leitrim County Council have they ascertained what caused the landslide on Shass Mountain, who will pay for the damage done to farms, the Dawn of Hope Bridge, the preventive measures necessary to avoid another slide and all other clean up works needed from the mountain to Lough Allen."
Motion from Councillor Mary Bohan:
"I propose that Leitrim County Council call on the Minister for Agriculture to put a special hardship fund in place for landowners affected by the landslide on Shass mountain and also that funding is made available to Leitrim County Council and the O.P.W for drainage and remedial works."
Report by Roads - General
"As the task of supporting the Dawn of Hope Bridge, is complex, Leitrim County Council has procured the services of a specialist engineering consultancy firm to prepare a design and appoint a suitably experienced contractor to buttress the Bridge. We are also working towards opening the Greyfield road, in conjunction with Inland Fisheries.
As regards the overall solution to this event, The Minister of State for Heritage has established a working group which includes representatives from the Department of Agriculture, Department of Heritage, Department of Transport, Inland Fisheries Ireland and Leitrim County Council. This group will be chaired by the minister and the first meeting is scheduled for Monday 20th July. The purpose of the group is to arrange for an interagency response to addressing the landslide and its aftermath."
Cllr Fallon acknowledged the response and advised he visited the site today. He added the main concern at the moment is for farmers affected by this landslide and to have the road infrastructure back in place as soon as possible. He advised that farmers have lost meadows and a hardship fund should be put in place to support the farmers affected.
Cllr Justin Warnock expressed concern in relation to the number of stakeholders involved in this issue and queried who will compensate the farmers for loss of land and fodder for the winter. He added that the land should not have been planted in this area. He called for forestry and wind farm developments in the area be halted until the cause of the landslide is established. He supported the call for a hardship fund for the farmers who have been impacted.
Cllr Mary Bohan advised the meeting that she attended a task force meeting earlier in the day regarding this matter. She informed the meeting that Leitrim County Council are proactively looking at the situation to ensure the situation doesn’t get any worse and is trying to open the roads as soon as possible. There are concerns locally that there is still a large amount of peat being held back by the bridge and locals fear if there is more rainfall this will move. She advised that a consultant will be appointed to ascertain what caused the landslide and advise on how to prevent it happening in the future. The task force requested that the OPW be invited to the next meeting.
Cllr Bohan informed the meeting that she has contacted the Minister for Agriculture and raised the issue of compensation for the affected farmers and land eligibility in relation to environmental schemes. She requested that this Municipal District write to the Minister for Agriculture to request a hardship fund for the farmers affected.
Sean Rynn, Executive Engineer, advised he is not in a position to estimate when the bridge will reopen as a full structural survey needs to be completed.
Cllr Mary Bohan thanked the Executive, the Engineers and outdoors staff for their prompt action in dealing with this situation.
Cllr Padraig Fallon queried if the IFA or Hill Farmers Association will be invited to meet with the task force? Cllr Mary Bohan advised both groups will be invited to next meeting.
All supported the motion