asked the Minister for Agriculture whether farmers in County Donegal, who suffered losses because of flooding, will be given any financial assistance by his Department, or whether the Irish Red Cross Society will have funds made available to it for that purpose.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Flood Losses.
asked the Minister for Agriculture what steps are being taken to compensate Donegal farmers for losses sustained during the recent floods.
As Questions Nos. 47 and 48 relate to the same subject, I propose, with your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, to take them together.
There are no funds available to my Department from which financial compensation could be given to farmers in County Donegal, or elsewhere, who suffered losses because of flooding. I am unable to say whether the Irish Red Cross Society will have funds made available to it for that purpose.
Was it not stated here in the House, during the debate on the Flooding Relief Bill, that some moneys were being put at the disposal of the Red Cross Society for this purpose?
I am afraid the Deputy is under a misapprehension. The Deputy is inquiring as to whether money would be made available for compensation. I think it was made quite clear during the debate that the limit of the liability the Government would undertake in connection with the abnormal flooding this year was the relief of distress. It was not undertaken that the Government would commit itself to compensate every farmer in Ireland for losses of crops.
Further arising out of the question, is the House to take it then that the impression given, whether wittingly or unwittingly, during the debate, that moneys would be available to the Red Cross outside the Athlone and the Dublin areas, does not hold water?
I think the Deputy is not following me. There is the question of relief of distress. That is provided for in every part of the country, ad hoc in the Shannon valley and in the Tolka area, generally where distress arises, through the good offices of the Red Cross Society. Any assistance that society may require effectively to discharge its function of the relief of distress due to the abnormal flooding, the Government, with the approval of the Dáil, will give. The Government declared that it could not accept liability to compensate farmers all over the country for the losses of crops. We all have had losses of crops this year. So the answer is: for the relief of distress, yes; for full compensation, no.
Can we take it then that the farmers of the Shannon valley will not be compensated for losses suffered due to the abnormal flooding this year?
In so far as the floods imposed distress, their distress will be relieved to the limit of the resources available. If the Deputies will read the debate they will find that this position was made crystal clear.
Is it not possible that in certain cases, some of which I am aware of, where distress has been caused as the direct result of crop losses, moneys would be made available to the Red Cross Society? When I ask compensation for such losses I am saying in another form what the Minister himself has said—that distress would be relieved.
There is a distinction between the two and I have no doubt that the Red Cross will give assistance wherever distress has been caused. There will be ample money available for the relief of distress wherever it arises.
asked the Minister for Agriculture if he has received a report that, as a result of flooding in the Keerglen and Ballinglen rivers in the Ballycastle district of North Mayo, several small farmers have had a considerable proportion of their tillage areas covered with peat mud, and, if so, if he proposes, as requested by the Mayo County Committee of Agriculture, to take all necessary measures to assist those farmers.
It is not clear whether this is a matter for my Department or whether the matter would not be more appropriate for consideration by the Land Commission. I am, however, making inquires and will write the Deputy as soon as possible.
asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he has received reports in regard to the exceptional flooding in the river Moy area, and, if so, what action he proposes to take in the matter.
I have received reports of flooding in many parts of the country, including the Moy area. The most effective action for the relief of flooding depends on arterial drainage, and the survey of the Moy catchment area is now completed and is scheduled amongst the next six catchment areas for attention by the Arterial Drainage Section of the Office of Public Works.
asked the Minister for Agriculture what steps are being taken for the relief of flood damage in the Thomastown-Rathgranaher area, Hollymount, County Mayo.
From examination of reports received from officers of my Department of flooding in the area in question, I am not satisfied that the circumstances would warrant the taking of special measures for the relief of distress in this area.
asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state (1) whether the survey of the flooded areas in North Galway was carried out directly by officers of his Department or by those employed by the Galway County Committee of Agriculture, (2) when this survey was carried out, and (3) whether the Department of Lands and the Office of Public Works were consulted or asked to co-operate in the survey.
The survey of the flooded areas in the Tuam district of North Galway was carried out by officers of my Department with the assistance of officers of the Galway County Committee of Agriculture. This survey was carried out between 12th and 22nd January, 1955. It was not necessary to consult with the Department of Lands or the Office of Public Works regarding this survey or to request their assistance in carrying it out.