Publication of Fermanagh Flooding Taskforce Report welcomed

The Executive has today published the recommendations of the Fermanagh Flooding Taskforce.

The Fermanagh Flooding Taskforce Report was commissioned in December 2009 to investigate the circumstances of last year’s flooding and identify what could be done to mitigate the impact of any similar flooding in the future.

Commenting on the publication of the report in Enniskillen, Michelle Gildernew, Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development, said: "No-one wants to see the scenes of last year repeated and thanks to everyone working together, the Taskforce has developed a set of recommendations to address the key issues presented to us by local people and organisations. The response from the local community coming forward with information played a key role in this process. I welcome the fact that the necessary funding to raise and improve roads has been identified and with work beginning shortly, I hope that this will offer some reassurance to affected communities."

Also commenting on the report, Arlene Foster, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment, commended the people of Fermanagh for their fortitude in dealing with the worst impacts of the flooding: She said: "The November flooding created very real and significant problems for so many people in Fermanagh as their daily lives were disrupted. While local people supported one another to overcome these difficulties, it was clear that more needed to be done. That is what this report is about today."

The Taskforce has brought forward a range of recommendations, including a substantial programme of roads infrastructure improvements targeted at those roads worst affected by last year’s flooding. Other recommendations include a formal review of the operating regime for Lough Erne, works to improve the level of protection from flood risk to the Killyhevlin Water Treatment Works, and the development of an education and awareness programme about flooding in Fermanagh and how to deal with it.

The report also requires organisations with responsibility for the provision of essential services in Fermanagh to ensure that robust contingency arrangements are in place to protect such services during flooding.

Endorsing the work of the Taskforce, Conor Murphy, Minister for Regional Development, said: "We appreciate that the local people want to see tangible improvements on the ground. With the funding in place for taking the recommendations on infrastructure improvements forward, it is our intention now that this work is progressed as quickly as possible."

The Minister for the Environment, Edwin Poots, added his endorsement to the Taskforce report: "I strongly commend this report to the people of Fermanagh, and would urge them to consider the beneficial impact the proposed works will have on daily life in the county. We cannot of course guarantee that flooding will not occur in the future, but the implementation of these Taskforce recommendations will significantly mitigate any future impact on the local community."

The report indicates that the Taskforce recommendations should be actioned by the end of 2011.

Notes to editors:

1. The report was commissioned by the Executive and was carried out by OFMDFM with input from other Departments.
2. It is available on the OFMDFM website at the following link: The Fermanagh Flooding Taskforce Report - OFMDFM website
3. All media enquiries to OFMDFM Press Office on 028 9037 8119. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.