Action not talking shops needed to clean rivers - Mayo councillor

THE battle by councillors to have rivers cleaned to prevent flooding continues.

Plans to establish a stakeholders group in respect of one west Mayo river have been rejected by Louisburgh Councillor Chris Maxwell.

He wants to see 'action', not another talking shop.

The matter was raised at a municipal district meeting where Kilmeena Councillor Johnny O'Malley commented on a drainage report about the Mayour River, describing it as 'bunkum'.

The council, he was told, have responsibility for maintenance, but they were different from the OPW in that they don't have the ability to enter and clean rivers.

An ecologist was going to be commissioned to see if the river could be cleaned, he added, but he felt there was no need for them.

If they said it can't be done 'there will be more war', Councillor O'Malley vowed. He wasn't giving up until the river is cleaned.

Councillor Maxwell said a stakeholders group was being set up to look at his local Carrowniskey River.

The people wanted to see action - get the bushes cut and relieve flooding, he said.

“Action is needed, not another talking shop.”

People have cleaned out slatted houses but if another flood comes again they will be filled again, he warned.