(Tipperary) asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state what steps he has taken to prevent flooding at Birdhill, Pollock, caused by the Shannon Scheme, and what is the report of engineers of his Department as regards the construction of the new river, and whether the plans outlined therein will prevent flooding in that area.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Flooding at Birdhill (Tipperary).
Mr. T. Sheehy
The question whether it would be economic to construct any works with a view to diminishing the flooding of the Pollagh Lands alleged to be due to diversion of the Kilmastulla River is engaging the attention of my engineers. It will be appreciated that the problem involves the collection and examination of much technical data, and the engineers will not be in a position to make a report until they have carefully considered all the relevant factors. I hope, however, to receive a report at an early date when there will be no avoidable delay in coining to decisions on their recommendations.
Mr. Sheehy
What is the reason it has taken such a long time? It is two years since the construction of this new river which has caused flooding for at least ten miles further up. Deputy Heffernan and Deputy Morrissey can vouch for that.
Unfortunately I have to take the engineers as my guide, and not Deputies. There is a large amount of technical matter to be considered because the question arises as to whether it is drainage in other portions of the country than that affected by the Shannon Scheme which was causing this particular flooding or how far the consumers of electricity are to be mulcted for damage done by the diversion of the river in their interests. There is a mixture of interests involved. I shall get the thing settled as speedily as I can, although I cannot promise it will be very soon.
Is the Minister not satisfied that it is largely due to the new river?
I cannot say. I really have to get my satisfaction in this matter from the engineers' report and any judgment I can bring to bear on that afterwards. I have not yet got the engineers report, although I have asked them to expedite it as much as possible. I can say, however, that there is no delay on their part. The fact is that some engineers who were on this work were taken off for other works and are in the employment of another association, and I can only get some of their time.
Has the Minister received the report of the engineers?
Not yet. I get reports from time to time as to how matters are progressing, but the full report is not in my hands.
Mr. T. Sheehy
(Tipperary) asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce why compensation has not been paid for loss of meadowing and hay crops by flooding caused by the Shannon Scheme in Birdhill, Pollock, County Tipperary, for the year 1929; and what provision has he made for 1930 in tins connection.
My valuer had a meeting last May with the various claimants affected by the flooding in 1929 of the Pollagh meadows, together with the claimants' valuers and solicitor. Provisional agreements as to compensation were reached which required the confirmation of myself and the claimants. It was not until a letter dated the 25th November was received from the solicitor that these agreements were confirmed in 48 cases out of 56. Any delay between May and November last in the payment of compensation rests, therefore, with the claimants. Payment in the 48 agreed cases will be made at an early date. Claims in respect of 1930 were received on 22nd November and are now being examined.
Mr. Sheehy
Does it not seem strange that these people have to pay rents and rates for such land from which they are deriving no benefit? What is the reason it has not been speeded up more quickly? Some of these people have lost their crops and cannot possibly do without compensation as they have to buy hay and other things elsewhere.
I can only consider it in this light: that it took between May and November to get these people to confirm agreements they had themselves reached in May. They cannot be feeling the pressure very much if they could not confirm agreements voluntarily entered into last May until 22nd November. I am not responsible.
Mr. Sheehy
Were not representations made to your Department in August, 1929?
Not with regard to the flooding alleged to be caused in the year 1929, because that extended over a long period. It was only after that that an examination could be made. The Deputy knows that there was an amount of discussion as to what lands were in fact flooded due to, say, the Shannon Scheme, and there was an amount of controversy between the engineers and the valuer as to how far the contour maps when marked showed the extent of the claims which could be legitimately made. Later on a decision was readied in May and was not confirmed until November, and only then by 48 out of 56 of the claimants. Payment will be made to these people as soon as possible.