Vol. 193 No. 10
asked the Minister for Local Government if as a temporary expedient to avoid the immediate consequences of tidal flooding in Cork City centre he will investigate the possibility of having a siren installed so as to warn traders and householders of the imminence of unduly high tides likely to damage their property.
47.
asked the Minister for Local Government if, in view of the serious damage and loss caused by the recurrent flooding in the centre of Cork City, he will have an inspection carried out with a view to obviating the effects of tidal flooding in future by having the river wall inlets and outlets sluiced or by some other remedial action.
48.
andMr. Barrett asked the Minister for Local Government if he can make available from his Department any experts to consider, and advise Cork Corporation upon, the cause of extensive flooding in Cork City in recent years and upon the nature of the steps which should be taken to prevent future flooding on an extensive scale.
49.
asked the Minister for Local Government if he will immediately initiate an inquiry into the question of the recurring flooding of Cork City; and if he will make a grant available to Cork Corporation to meet the cost of any remedial scheme found necessary and practicable.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 46, 47, 48 and 49 together.
The problem of tidal flooding at Cork is one primarily for the local authorities concerned. I understand that the responsible officers of the Cork Corporation have presented a report on the causes of the recent flooding. I do not think that any useful purpose would be served by the carrying out of an inspection or investigation by my Department at this stage. The determination of the preventive measures which might prove practicable and effective will require detailed and mature consideration by all the interests involved. It would be premature to consider at this juncture the method of financing whatever scheme, if any, may be found practicable.
Do I understand from the Minister that he has no expert in his Department who might be of assistance to Cork Corporation in this matter?
It is quite probable that we have not got such an expert. Apart from that, as the Deputy is well aware, an investigation has been under way for some time under the auspices of the corporation, and probably the Harbour Authority as well, though I am not sure about the latter, and a report was presented yesterday to the Cork Corporation. So far, my Department have not received the results of that preliminary investigation. Until such time as we do, and until such time as we have had an opportunity of examining them, we are not in a position to advise.
So long as the Minister leaves the door open and does not inform us he will not assist us in the matter, I am quite satisfied.
Far from it. Any assistance that can be given within our resources will be forthcoming.
Would the Minister now state publicly for the benefit of the people of Cork city and county, and particularly those in Youghal, that he is prepared to come to the assistance of those who have been marooned or without house or home for the past week?
Although that is a different matter, I should like to inform the Deputy that no such assurance can be given by me because I am not fully aware of the problem created by the recent flooding, other than the reports I have read in the newspapers, not all of which may be relevant on mature consideration.
Is the Minister aware that on a rather conservative estimate reached by his county engineer in Cork, the damage to council property alone amounts to £55,000, and that excludes the urban area?
Again, I should make it clear that we have received no information officially. Figures have been freely expressed publicly and all sorts of guesses made, but nothing has been received in my Department officially from any source.
