Fine Gael transport spokesman has joined with the party’s local representatives in Galway to call for the immediate opening of the M6 motorway to provide access to Galway city and the west of the county, which have been isolated by the floods crisis.

Fergus O’Dowd TD said: "Huge parts of Galway are cut off as a result of the flooding. The closure of the N6 road at Craughwell means that Galway is effectively isolated from Dublin.

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"Fine Gael is calling for the M6 motorway to be opened on a temporary basis to allow essential access for motorists, provided the authorities deem it safe to do so."

He continued: "Given that the motorway has not been opened officially, this should include appropriate safeguards including speed restrictions.

"I would call on the authorities to consider the enormous impact of this nationwide flood on ordinary people and to facilitate them wherever safe and practicable."

(PR/KMcA)