SDLP East Derry MLA John Dallat has welcomed the decision and he believes blocked culverts upstream are causing the problem.
Questioning the Agricultural Minister Michelle O'Neill he said: "The Minister may well be aware that at the height of the building boom, many rivers were piped and culverts then created but those culverts are not being checked on a regular basis, and there is a question mark over whose responsibility it is. Will the Minister investigate that and ensure that, where those culverts exist, whole neighbourhoods are not threatened with flooding.
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One Department does not accept, another does not accept, the things are not adopted and neighbourhoods are living in fear."
The Minister said: "I can make sure we investigate that”, and acknowledged “how difficult it is to get someone to take ownership. I will certainly take a look at my Department's role and what we do."
(CD/MH)
