asked the Minister for Lands if he will state what is the cause of the delay in carrying out the promise to erect a pump for Mr. James Christian, Clonaughlis, Straffan, County Kildare, on his holding on the Kennedy estate at Bishopscourt, Straffan, County Kildare, and when it is proposed to erect the pump.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Water Supply on County Kildare Holding.
This case has presented great difficulty. Failing to get a suitable contractor to carry out the work, the Land Commission proceeded to sink a pump by direct labour, but all efforts to find water have been unsuccessful and the work has in consequence been abandoned after sinking a shaft to a depth of 51 feet. Investigations have shown that owing to the physical features of the area there is no practicable method of providing a water supply on this plot of 12½ acres, which is situated some threequarters of a mile from the allottee's home holding.
Is the Minister aware that he said in October, 1938, that he proposed to carry out the work by direct labour and expected that it would be put in hands at an early date? Is he further aware that this man was invited to take this holding in exchange for another holding on the assumption that a pump would be erected for him? If the Minister's Department is not now able to erect a pump, will he offer this man a holding on which he can get water for his cattle, of which he has already lost a number owing to absence of water?
I shall ask the Land Commission to look further into the matter but I cannot make any definite promise as to what their decision will be.
Having regard to the conditions on which this man took the piece of land, will the Minister examine the matter sympathetically?
Yes.