asked the Minister for Local Government if he is aware that farmers in South Roscommon are suffering serious losses from flooding caused by unfinished drainage work; and if he will receive a deputation appointed by Roscommon County Council in connection with this matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Unfinished Drainage Work in Roscommon.
45.
I am not aware that flooding is caused by unfinished drainage work in South Roscommon.
Regarding the reference in the second part of the Deputy's questions, I am always quite willing to meet deputations from local authorities on any occasion where there is a prospect that some benefit would accrue from an exchange of views, but no such prospect existed in this case. The position has already been fully explained to the Roscommon County Council.
Is it not a fact that drainage work on the Crannagh Cross River, which drains a large area of land in Roscommon, was held up? Is it not a fact that Roscommon County Council have asked on no fewer than three occasions within the past 12 months to have a deputation received to put forward a special case for having the drainage work on this river continued? At this stage, in view of the special circumstance involved and in view of the fact that arterial drainage cannot be done in this area for years, would the Minister consider meeting the deputation from the county council to hear their views on the need for a special grant from the Local Authorities (Works) Act for the Crannagh Cross River or other such rivers?
In reply to the Deputy's supplementary—or "speech" might be a more proper term—the position is that in many areas, as well as the area in question, cases have been advanced why drainage work should be done; but the real point at issue here is whether or not the discontinuation of work on this river is now causing greater flooding than would have been caused if no work had been done. I hold that that is not true. In fact, over the years a prerequisite for the sanctioning of any work done was that the work would in itself be a complete job and would not cause undue hardship or increased flooding on any other stretch of the river.
What I want to know at this stage is: will the Minister receive a deputation?
The point is, as I have explained to the House, that unless more prima facie evidence can be produced to show that a situation has been brought about by the discontinuation of the drainage work already done, there is no point in my receiving a deputation.
That question cannot be decided until the deputation is heard and has presented the facts. Would the Minister at this stage accede to the request to receive a deputation in connection with this problem?
As I have already said, if the Deputy or others are so interested that they feel they have a sufficiently good case, I am sure it would not be beyond them to put even a brief outline of it on paper. If from perusal of that case on paper I can see something I have not already seen. I shall reconsider meeting the deputation; but I do not want to bring a council deputation to Dublin, giving them cause for expenses and trouble, unless there is some purpose in receiving them.
Is it not a fact that the deputation——
Question No. 46.