asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state when he proposes to compensate occupiers of holdings on the shores of Lough Derg whose lands have been flooded consequent upon the Shannon Scheme; and if he will also state whether the engineers have yet made a final report in connection with the said flooding, and what steps have been taken to assess the value of the submerged lands in question.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Shannon Scheme Flooding.
An engineer has been appointed to make a final report and to clear up some difficulties in connection with the flooding of lands adjoining the shores of Lough Derg. He has been instructed to complete his task without avoidable delay. Meanwhile the necessary maps are being prepared. I am anxious to have all claims completed at the earliest possible date. In order to expedite the payment of compensation, the valuer who is investigating these claims on my behalf has been instructed to deal with them in the order of districts in which they occur, beginning at Woodford. Negotiations with the claimants will commence shortly and will be continued until all the claimants have been interviewed and compensation assessed in each case.