Galway Bay fm newsroom – President Michael D. Higgins says a greater balance needs to be struck between the need for flood defenses in South Galway and EU Habitat Directives.
President Higgins made the comments as he visited those affected by flooding in Labane, which has experienced unprecedented water levels in recent weeks.
He went on a walk about-about of the area to witness the effects of the flooding, before meeting with members of the community at Memorial Hall.
President Higgins also paid tribute to Council Crews, the Civil Defense, and members of the Defense Forces who are working tirelessly to hold back flood waters in the region.
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.