The Government has been slammed for failing to address flood prevention and insurance.

Fianna Fáil TD for Mayo Dara Calleary said dredging and river cleaning must form part of the Government's plan to deal with flooding in Crossmolina.

He said: "One of the measures that has been approved is the dredging of the river Shannon. But what other rivers like the Deel? The Office of Public Works (OPW) has blocked the dredging of this river, even though severe damage was caused in Crossmolina and surrounding areas last December at the height of the winter storms. It is accepted by everyone that the Deel needs to be dredged-however when proposals have been put forward they are blocked by OPW management.

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"The bulk of relevant bodies including Inland Fisheries Ireland and the National Parks and Wildlife Service have voiced no objection to dredging the river but the OPW is continuing to stand in the way.

"The Government has also failed to fully address the issue of flood insurance, and we now have cases where OPW approved flood defences have been completed and residents and businesses are still unable to get insurance. This is a ludicrous situation and completely beyond their control."

(CD/LM)