asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware of the fact that great hardship and inconvenience is caused to the people of Tullow, Co. Carlow, as a consequence of the flooding of the river Slaney; whether, in view of the fact that a large number of people have to quit their homes annually as a consequence of this occurrence, he will undertake to have enquiries made with a view to preventing a recurrence of this inundation.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - FLOODING OF THE RIVER SLANEY.
EAMON O DUBHGHAILL
The floods complained of occur on a river which is not included in any existing drainage district, and there is, therefore, no power to carry out works of relief except by designing and carrying out a new scheme of arterial drainage. Under the existing law such a scheme can only be carried out on the initiative and at the expense of the owners of land damaged by floods.
Legislation is, however, at present under consideration which proposes to abolish the present cumbersome procedure by enabling local authorities to initiate small drainage schemes.