asked the Minister for Lands whether a decision has been reached regarding the repair of the embankments in (a) the townlands of Callinafercy East and West; (b) the townland of Gurrane, Killorglin, County Kerry, and, if not, whether he will take steps to ensure that the matter is expedited.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Repair of Kerry Embankments.
asked the Minister for Lands whether he is aware (a) that in the Callinafercy, Milltown, Gurrane embankments, County Kerry, there are several breaches causing frequent and extensive flooding of hundreds of acres of land along that coastal area; and (b) that Departmental engineers have inspected these breaches on many occasions, and that no repairs have been executed; and whether he is prepared to make provision during the coming summer months for the repair of all the breaches in these embankments.
I propose with your permission, A Chinn Chomhairle, to take together Questions Nos. 15 and 16.
The question of the action to be taken by the Land Commission in regard to the embankments in the townlands of Callinafercy East and West and Gurrane has to be examined in conjunction with the problem of other River Maine embankments, and no decision has yet been reached. Consideration of the matter is being expedited as much as possible.
I wonder is the Minister aware that I have a motion down for the past month in regard to that matter? In that motion I propose that the Land Commission should hire out a dredger from the Board of Works with a view to carrying out the scheme pending the operation of the extensive arterial drainage scheme proposed for that part of the county.
The arterial drainage question referred to by the Deputy is not a matter for my Department at all; that is number one. The motion relating to this embankment question is on the Private Deputies' list.
Mr. Flynn
Yes, Sir, that motion is down in my name and in Deputy Palmer's name. My main intention was to suggest that pending the extensive arterial drainage scheme in that area, the Land Commission should take immediate action and hire out a dredger if possible—and I believe that it is possible—from the Board of Works. There is an urgent need for action pending the putting into operation of the major scheme and this would give immediate relief in that area.