Speaking following a meeting of the regional society in Athlone, Mr Grehan said ‘Farmers here tonight have clearly expressed their anger and frustration about pen pushing around the issue of flooding. It is clear that the Shannon coordination committee has not worked so ICSA is calling for a single agency, namely the OPW, to immediately take charge of managing the river Shannon.’

Grehan was quick to point out that the Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Mangement (CFRAM) was too urban based and did not recognise the problem facing rural Ireland and that by shoring up defences in urban areas they were moving the flooding problems to farmland areas.

Minister Denis Naughten was also at the event and outlined the governments plans for preventing future flooding.

A cabinet subcommittee has been established to tackle the flooding and Naughten and Minister Sean Canney are members.

Over 200 farmers were in attendance of the event.