asked the Minister for Local Government if he will state the total cost, to the Offaly County Council, of meeting the claim of Mr. James Coughlan in respect of the flooding of his premises at Banagher; if he will give an estimate of what the cost of the necessary remedial works would have been if recourse had not been had to legal proceedings; if he will state the amount of the additional costs arising from the legal proceedings; if he will give the reasons why the necessary works in this case were not carried out until after legal proceedings had been taken; if he will state also whether the county council were, in fact, responsible for the execution of the works in dispute in this case; and if there are any other similar cases pending in the county.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Flooding of Offaly Premises.
asked the Minister for Local Government if he will state if it was following a report of the county engineer that the Offaly county manager proceeded with the legal action in the case of James Coughlan v. Offaly County Council regarding the flooding of Mr. Coughlan's premises in Banagher; and if other similar cases are pending in the county.
It is proposed to take Questions 13 and 14 together.
I would point out to the Deputy that I have no functions in regard to the case referred to by him. The responsibility for deciding whether legal proceedings should be defended is a matter for the local authority concerned.
Does the Parliamentary Secretary consider that it is wise, in the interests of economy, in a case where a complaint is made to the county council, with a request to them to carry out the duties for which they are responsible——
If the Minister has no responsibility in this matter the Parliamentary Secretary may not be questioned about it.
Surely, he has some control over the local authority and over the actions of the officers of the local authority? If the local authority do not carry out their obligations until they are brought to court and made do so, it will mean a great loss-additional expense on the ratepayers of the county. Will the Parliamentary Secretary undertake to communicate with the county manager in order to see that these works are carried out without the necessity of taking the case to court?
It is really a matter for the local authority. Legal proceedings ensued and certain matters arising from the legal proceedings are still under examination. It is not possible for me, therefore, to say any more.
There was no occasion for any legal proceedings, but the position now is that the ratepayers of Offaly have to pay for the inefficiency of somebody.