Residents in the Glens of Antrim are angered at the lack of progress made in the implementation of improvements and measures to address the flooding issue following the floods in July 2007, according to SDLP MLA Declan O'Loan.

Mr O'Loan said that he wrote to Minister Gildernew in August 2007 after residents wrote to him voicing their concerns regarding the designation of the confluence at the river Dall and Ballyeamon.

He said: "I asked the Minister if she could provide an update on what her Department was doing regarding looking at the designation of this river as well as what work was being carried out by her Department in relation to support for the farmers affected by the flooding who were not entitled to compensation through the Emergency Distress Fund."

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The North Antrim MLA has said he didn't receive a response until six months later, on 26th February 2008. He said: "The response simply diverted the farmers to the Department of the Environment and provided a telephone number for me to contact her Officials to arrange a meeting. I intend to arrange this meeting as soon as possible.

"The people affected by the flooding and who live adjacent to this river were told in July 2007, following the flooding, that work would be undertaken immediately to sort out this awful problem. Minister Gildernew actually met with some of the families affected on the day after the floods and promised that she would help them."

Mr O'Loan claimed that - in responses to his Assembly Questions to both DRD and DARD - he was told that no work will be undertaken to address this issue until after a report is complete.

He said: "It is not anticipated that this report will be complete until, at the earliest, July 2008. One year after the event. The residents require action and both Departments have failed to provide it.

"It is simply not enough to meet with people and make empty promises. We must deliver," the MLA added.

(VB/JM)