asked the Minister for Lands if, with reference to the reply to a question on 21st April that the general scheme for relief of farmers in the flooded areas of the Shannon Valley provided inter alia for the provision of housing above the ascertained flood line for those whose houses were at present liable to inundation, and that this would be done, he will now state if this provision will be made retrospective in respect of those who were given accommodation land on which to erect dwelling-houses and out-offices on the Trench estate and other estates a few years ago, but who were unable to proceed with the erection of such dwelling-houses and out-offices, owing to the inadequacy of the grants offered by the Land Commission.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Flood Relief.
The Land Commission have prepared a scheme on the lines already indicated for the relief of the farmers in the flooded areas of the Shannon Valley. As it has been decided to obtain the advice of an American expert on remedial measures for the control of the Shannon, it is mere prudence to await his report before implementing the scheme. It would be undesirable at this stage to disclose details of the scheme which may need some revision in the light of the expert's report. The position of each of the persons the Deputy appears to have in mind on the Trench estate will be examined separately and will be decided on its merits.
Is the Minister in a position to say whether he will have this report of the American expert available within the next 12 months?
I cannot say that.
Can we take it then that the question of relieving these people will be postponed until the report of the American engineer is available? Is that the position?
No, it is not. The Deputy used the word "postponed" for, I presume, a very definite reason. The answer I gave to Deputy Beegan was that the implementation of the scheme which has been prepared by the Land Commission will await the American expert's report.
That is all I want to get clear.