asked the Minister for Finance whether, in view of the severe hardship and loss caused in Carlow by reason of recurrent flooding, he will expedite the preparation and consideration of plans for the drainage of the river Barrow and its tributaries as an urgent matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - River Barrow Drainage.
Having regard to the magnitude of the works involved and the relatively low return, a scheme for the Barrow catchment is not likely to be undertaken at an early stage in the arterial drainage programme.
I should like to ask whether, in view of the serious damage which is being caused in Carlow by these recurring floodings, the Parliamentary Secretary will not consider having a survey made of the position and fresh inquiries made as to whether any amelioration can be made within a reasonable time?
I am quite willing to meet the people of that area at any time they wish to approach me. If there is anything I can do within the Act to relieve or to help them it is the wish of the Government to do so.
The Parliamentary Secretary should be able to say whether he is in a position or not to help.
You were in this position for five years and you were not able to say anything.
The Parliamentary Secretary, by way of reply, has suggested that if there is anything he can do to help within the terms of the Act he will do it. He should be able to say whether or not the problem mentioned by Deputy Derrig is one——
The Deputy is making a speech, not asking a question.
I appreciate the Parliamentary Secretary's consideration for the people concerned—that he is prepared to meet them—but may I ask if he is in a position—I know he has not had a great deal of time to go into all these matters—to say whether this matter will at least be examined. All I ask is that the matter should be examined or inquired into as a rather urgent matter of public importance in that area. I am not asking him to commit himself to anything more than to examine and inquire into the position.
Does the fact that this river is not in Connaught mean that it is not going to be inspected?
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the late Government refused to receive a deputation which was appointed from Kilkenny?
That has nothing to do with the question.
I can assure the Deputy that while I am in the Board of Works my intention and the intention of the Government is always to meet people and do all we can in the Department as well as in other Departments to oblige them in the best way we can. For Deputy Derrig's information, I may say that I have arranged to meet a deputation from the Kilkenny County Council which his Government for 16 years refused to meet.
It would be interesting to see if the Parliamentary Secretary is going to do what the Kilkenny County Council wishes him to do.
He cannot do less than you did.
What did the Deputy do for the flooding himself?
Does the Parliamentary Secretary suggest that meeting a deputation will solve the drainage problems of the Kilkenny County Council?