Election candidate declares in west Cavan

Leitrim business woman Bernie O'Hara has added her name to the other candidates seeking election in the Sligo/Leitrim/West/Cavan/South Donegal Constituency.

Speaking on the current issue of flooding, she said: 'There is little doubt that some very dubious planning decisions were made during the Celtic Tiger Era and there must be accountability from the various County Councils. While young couples who wanted to build on the family farm were being refused planning permission, it was being granted to developers to build on flood planes.

'Building on flood planes was ludicrous behaviour, older generations recount why homes were never built on land prone to flooding even if they would only flood once in a lifetime. This information was passed down from generation to generation and has been proven wise.'

Looking to the future, she added: 'We now need to look at better defences for floods in our towns and villages. Local people need to have a say in how this problem will be resolved. A system needs to be implemented that will allow ordinary people submit suggestions to the expert group with responsibility for finding a solution. Families and farmers must be compensated for their losses and businesses who have been flooded or adversely affected as a result of flooding should have some recourse to their loss of income.

'Their property rates and any other local authority charges should be automatically suspended for the duration of the flooding and clean up.'