Unanimous concern over Galway flood response as no funding set aside in Connemara draft budget
A unanimous call for increased funding and resources to support a proactive flood approach for Connemara’s countryside dominated this month’s municipal district meeting at Galway County Hall.
In the wake of Storm Amy last weekend, councillors highlighted numerous problem areas where flooding left residents across Connemara both inconvenienced and at risk. They warned that flooding incidents are worsening each year and have now become an expected consequence of any heavy rainfall.
The 2026 draft budget plan for the region was among the main agenda items, with repeated calls heard throughout the chamber for a specific emergency response and storm allocation.
While the draft outlines various allocations for regional and local road maintenance and improvement works, it currently includes no dedicated emergency budget.
The overall draft budget for Galway County is due to be published on November 14, which will provide more detailed data for next year’s financial planning.
Fine Gael Councillor Eileen Mannion said: “I think we have a serious problem going forward. I think we need to factor in more road funding under climate change,” noting that sections of the N59 east of Kylemore Abbey were closed for two full days following the storm.
Non Party Councillor Thomas Welby said residents are becoming “victims to this kind of inertia,” criticising the slow pace of response to repeated flooding events. “We are flooding where we have never gotten flooding before,” he added.
Head of Finance Katie O’Connor addressed many of the councillors’ concerns but alarmingly she explained that the local authority is still waiting on funding to help restoration efforts following Storm Eowyn. Ms O’Connor said Galway County Council is “not the only body in this predicament,” as the department has no standing emergency response fund.
Because of this, local authorities must apply for funding on a case-by-case basis following each weather event as does the department.
Cllr Mannion tabled a motion to write to the department seeking the release of the outstanding funds immediately, and to call for the establishment of a dedicated emergency budget for future weather events — which councillors now believe have become “the new normal.”