Permanent maintenance boats are needed on major rivers like the Shannon, according to a Leitrim TD.
Deputy Martin Kenny made the call to OPW Minister and Longford Westmeath TD Kevin 'Boxer' Moran during statements on flooding matters in the Dail recently.
The Sinn Fein TD says that pinch points on the Shannon and other large rivers are causing major flooding and putting pressure on land owners.
The party's agriculture spokesperson accused the Government of working after the fact to solve flooding and not enacting sufficient preventative measures.
He's urging the OPW to following international best practice:
Deputy Kenny is also calling for support for farmers dealing with ash die back along rivers.
He told the Dáil that trees are falling into waterways and blocking channels:
