asked the Minister for Finance what steps he proposes to take to clean rivers in West Cork which are flooding valuable arable land.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cleaning of West Cork Rivers.
6.
In conjunction with the engineering and valuation survey under the Arterial Drainage Act, 1945, of the Owenkeagh catchment in West Cork, a preliminary investigation of a number of small catchments in the area is being made. The technical reports will not be available for consideration for some time yet.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that within the past fortnight damage running into thousands of pounds has been done in the catchment areas of West Cork as a result of the silting up of rivers not cleaned for many years? Is he further aware that a recurrence of this will involve the local authority in considerable expense running into thousands of pounds if the rivers are not cleaned immediately? Is he aware that houses, lands and furniture have been destroyed in some areas of West Cork? Surely something must be done immediately to alleviate that problem?
Following a deputation from West Cork last year to my predecessor, it was arranged to have a number of small catchment areas surveyed in that area. At the moment some are being surveyed but the reports on them are not yet available. The Deputy is aware that arterial drainage must proceed according to a fixed, predetermined plan, and we are satisfied at the moment that it is proceeding reasonably satisfactorily. It would not be possible to upset the priority list to go after every scheme mentioned. The West Cork area will be undertaken as soon as it is possible to do so, consistent with the predetermined list.
Could the Parliamentary Secretary expedite this matter? A recurrence of this type of flooding could constitute a danger to the health of the people.