asked the Minister for Finance whether he is aware of the serious annual loss of crops in the Kilcock area, County Kildare, owing to the overflowing of the Ryewater River, and whether as all the landholders affected are satisfied as to the necessity of having this river improved, he will have the work carried out under the provisions of the Arterial Drainage Act, 1925, as soon as possible.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - RYEWATER RIVER OVERFLOW.
The Commissioners of Public Works having considered the reports of their engineer and valuer on the proposals contained in the petitions transmitted to them by the County Councils of Meath and Kildare under the Arterial Drainage Act, 1925, in respect of the drainage of the Ryewater River, decided that the circumstances were not such as to justify the preparation of a detailed drainage scheme or the constitution of a separate drainage district in respect of the area concerned. The reason on which their decision is based is that the necessary works could not, owing to their cost, be carried out without imposing an undue burden on the occupiers of the lands that would be benefited. The County Councils of Kildare and Meath were informed of the Commissioners' decision on the 30th December, 1926.
Is there any hope of relieving those people whose crops are affected every year and whose holdings remain flooded for two or three months?
If it costs more to effect an improvement in the land than the value of the improvement would amount to, of course, it is evident that the people who own the land cannot afford to carry out the improvements unless the County Council comes to the rescue.