The head of Roscommon County Council says the installation of a long sought after pipe to resolve flooding issues at Lough Funshinagh could take three years.
Eugene Cummins has written an open letter to the Minister for the OPW where he outlines that a pipe in the ground is of little comfort to families at their "wits end" with a "despairing" situation.
In an open letter to Patrick O'Donovan, the CE of Roscommon County Council outlines several measures the local authority has already carried out works, such as raising roads, in order to help homeowners in the area.
However, he says the council can only do so much without a "permanent significant infrastructural solution" provided by the government.
He claims that at least two homes will require to be relocated and the Department of Agriculture will need to intervene regarding farm holdings.
The CE suggests that without an outflow pipe and that due to climate change, the situation will get much worse without state intervention.
He outlines that a permanent 'pipe' to allow a set level of the lake be maintained could allow the habitat flourish again and looks forward to an answer from the Minister.
The letter is reproduced below:
