asked the Minister for Local Government if he is aware that a stone wall some three feet high was recently erected across the Keel River, the outfall of Lough Carra, County Mayo; and, if so, if he will state (a) out of what fund this was done; (b) what purpose this wall serves; (c) in view of the very extensive damage caused by flooding by the erection of this wall if he will take immediate steps to have it removed and (d) whether if this work has been carried out without due authority, the official or officials who carried it out will be surcharged for the cost of erection and removal.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Erection of Wall in Keel River (Mayo).
I have no official information and no functions regarding any work of the nature referred to. I presume any such work would be financed from funds at the disposal of the joint committee for the Lough Mask and River Robe Drainage District. I have no power to direct the making of a surcharge.
May I take it that this is a matter purely for the combined local authorities — that is, the Mayo and Galway local authorities?
The Deputy can take what I have told him as the most accurate information I can give—that I have no responsibility in the matter.
It is perfectly clear that what I have asked in the supplementary question is: have the local authorities sole responsibility for this work?
Naturally you would not expect me, having no responsibility for it, to investigate anything beyond what the appropriate laws of the country provide.
I asked the Minister for information which should be his responsibility. Surely he is the Minister for Local Government and I have asked which are the local authorities whose business it possibly might be to investigate——
What should be my responsibility and what is my responsibility are two different things.
He evidently knows nothing about the job he has taken on and he has proved it.
What should be my responsibility and what is my responsibility are two different things.
Is the Minister aware that the total cost of the work in respect of which Deputy Blowick is complaining is £16?
The Minister knows nothing about it.
It would not stop up a farmer's backyard. This is a political ramp for political purposes— publicity.