Flooding in the Dungiven area of L'Derry is to be fully investigated.

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)