Flooding Taskforce evidence gathering sessions begin in Fermanagh

The first of three evidence gathering sessions set up by the cross-departmental Flooding Taskforce will take place in Fermanagh tomorrow.

At its first meeting on 22 December 2009, the Flooding Taskforce agreed that evidence gathering sessions should be arranged to hear at first hand from those directly affected by the recent high level of floods.

Tomorrow’s session in Fermanagh District Council offices in the Townhall in Enniskillen, from 10.30am-4.30pm, will hear from local councillors, the Ulster Farmers Union, NI Agricultural Producers Association and Fermanagh Economic Development Organisation along with others from the business and commerce sector.

Two further sessions will be held on Monday 11 January to hear directly from local residents about the challenges they faced at the time and in the aftermath of the flooding.

These sessions will be held in:

The Townhall in Enniskillen from 10.30am – 12.30pm

The Castle Park Centre, Lisnaskea from 2.00pm – 4.00pm

For those unable to attend the sessions, written statements may be sent to the Taskforce Secretariat at:

or by e-mail to CCPB@ofmdfmni.gov.uk and entitled ‘Flooding Taskforce’, to be received no later than 5.00pm on Tuesday 12 January 2010.

Notes to editors:

1. The Flooding Taskforce was set up to investigate the factors which contributed to the flooding and to consider how departments can assist in dealing with the aftermath. The Taskforce will examine the lessons learned, identify longer term planning issues and consider preparations for possible measures to minimise the impact of future flooding.
2. Media enquiries to OFMDFM Press Office on 028 9037 8142 or 07850 187134. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Office via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.