asked the Minister for Finance if, with a view to relieving the peak flooding caused by the River Dodder and the consequent hardship caused thereby, he will give favourable consideration to having a detailed examination of the problem carried out on the lines of that carried out in connection with the River Shannon, to see if a satisfactory solution can be found.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - River Dodder Flooding.
25.
The answer is in the negative. The problem in the Dodder catchment now is one of periodical urban flooding, and, as indicated in my reply to a Question by the Deputy on the 10th March, that is not a matter to be dealt with by the Commissioners of Public Works under the Arterial Drainage Act, 1945.
Is the Par. Sec. aware that the Board of Works is equipped both technically and with machinery to undertake this kind of work, while the local authority is not? Would he undertake to give assistance to the local authority, as required, in dealing with this problem?
I am afraid the Arterial Drainage Act does not give any such power to the Commissioners. They have interpreted their powers and functions as related to the improvement of agricultural land and I am afraid there is nothing I can do in the matter to help the Deputy.