asked the Minister for Finance whether he is aware that in the areas affected by the flooding of the River Barrow—Monasterevan, Portarlington, Garryhinch, Mountmellick and Rosenallis—grave dissatisfaction is prevalent amongst the people regarding the progress of the drainage work being carried out, and that they are seriously concerned as to whether sufficient work will be carried out this summer and autumn to reduce flooding to a minimum in the coming winter; whether the Minister will state how much money is available for expenditure on this river in the present year; and whether he will urge on the Commissioners of Public Works the necessity of employing larger gangs on the river between Portarlington and Mountmellick and other places where large obstructions exist.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - DRAINAGE OF RIVER BARROW.
asked the Minister for Finance whether he will state (a) the amount of money expended on the Barrow drainage work in the half-year ended March 31st, 1928; (b) the quarter ended 30th June, 1928; (c) the number of men employed and the number of gangs at work during that period; (d) the approximate period which it will take to complete the work at the present rate of progress; and (e) whether he is aware that several farmers, whose lands are flooded for more than half the year, are unable to continue paying annuities and taxes on land which is rendered useless to them by flooding.
I will answer these two questions together.
The expenditure for the half-year ended 31st March, 1928, was £37,061, and for the quarter ended 30th June, 1928, £9,580.
About 250 men were at work during this latter period.
It would not be possible to indicate how long it will take to complete the scheme, as apart from anything else the successful carrying out of drainage works depends to so great an extent on the weather; but probably at least three years after 1928 will be required.
£75,000 was estimated for the year 1928-29 to cover anticipated expenditure.
As I have already pointed out in reply to previous questions it is an engineering necessity, in order to prevent loss and damage, that the work should proceed from the lower to the upper reaches of the river. As has already been pointed out, the Barrow drainage is not a relief work, but an engineering scheme, the estimated cost of which is based upon the use of the most economic methods of execution, apart from any other consideration, in the interests of those occupiers of the flooded and injured lands who will ultimately be called upon to pay their proportion of the whole.
I am not satisfied with the reply to the question. I live within a very short distance of an area that suffers great loss from the flooding of this river. As it is a vexed national question, it should be considered by the House, and I propose, with your permission, to raise the matter on the adjournment.