Mansergh commits to remove further silt from Bandon River if needed - O’Sullivan

Minister Martin Mansergh has committed to removing further silt from the River Bandon if it is necessary, according to local TD Christy O’Sullivan. Deputy O’Sullivan received the assurance from the Minister during a meeting to discuss the clean up and flood relief works on the River Bandon.

A further meeting was also held with Minister for Fisheries, Conor Lenihan whereby the Minister assured Deputy O’Sullivan that his Department does not stand in the way of the flood relief works for Bandon.

“I was greatly relieved with what I was hearing from Minister Conor Lenihan and Minister Martin Mansergh yesterday,” said Deputy O’Sullivan. “We needed to make sure the interests of the people of Bandon were put first and both Ministers made it clear that this was their priority too.”

“Minister Mansergh went so far as to say that people will always take precedence and that the OPW will be able to remove further silt from the Bandon River if the need arises. At the moment the clean up works have been limited to the water level but more cleaning of the river can take place if we need to make further improvements.”

“We also met separately with Minister Lenihan and he has given us his complete assurance that his Department is not standing in the way of the flood relief works. He has committed his Department to working with the people of Bandon and the local fisheries services to helping to ensure the flood relief measures work for the town in the long term.”

“A lot of people had been concerned that the fisheries protection agencies and the Department were getting in the way of the flood relief, however I think we have managed to clear this up during yesterday’s meeting. I now hope that the flood relief works will move forward without delay,” Deputy O’Sullivan concluded.