Galway Bay fm newsroom – President Michael D. Higgins says flood victims in South Galway do not want to be used as a political football ahead of the upcoming General Election.
President Higgins made the comment during a visit to Labane this morning, during which he met with locals affected by unprecedent flooding in recent weeks.
It follows comments by Independent TD Michael Fitzmaurice, who’s criticising President Higgins for signing the EU Habitats Directive into law in 1997 while serving as Minister.
The Roscommon-South Leitrim TD says the Directive is preventing badly needed dredging and drainage work on rivers and streams around the country.
Speaking during his visit to Labane this morning, President Higgins says the plight of the people of South Galway should not be used for political gain.
However, President Higgins says a greater balance needs to be struck between the need for flood defenses in South Galway and EU Habitat Directives.
Many areas in South Galway are Special Areas of Conservation and Special Protection Areas, which can cause significant delays in the planning process for flood relief measures.
Speaking to our reporter Lyndsay Hughes, President Higgins says he believes a greater balance can be struck to tackle the situation in South Galway.
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