asked the Minister for Lands if he is aware that tidal embankments at Cotters, Carrigtwohill, O'Driscoll's, Little Island and Ellis's, Little Island, County Cork have again been wiped out by tidal waves; that there have been new breaches at Fitzgerald's, Harpers Island, County Cork and Dickery's, Little Island; that the cost of repairing these embankments will be more than £20,000; and that there is a danger that these repairs will be wiped out in the next storm; and if he will consider a permanent solution of the problem.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - East Cork Tidal Embankments.
29.
I would refer the Deputy to my reply to his previous Question in this matter on 23rd November last.
Embankments at Courtstown and Killacloyne, on which repairs were being carried out by the Land Commission, suffered further damage from the recent severe storms. The repair works have now been resumed and the cost is expected not to exceed £4,000.
Whilst the construction of such tidal embankments as might ensure permanent protection against freak weather conditions is not a matter for the Land Commission, I am advised that such a project would not be an economic proposition.
Is the Minister aware that where there were three breaches when his Department went about finishing the job, there are now 12 breaches in those embankments? I suggest that if the two breaches he mentions are to cost £4,000 to repair, the sum for the other 12 will be much higher than the estimate given by the late Mr. Hugo Flynn for a permanent solution. Would the Minister follow his example?
The Deputy is making a statement.
The Minister has stated that his Department do not engage in such work and I am suggesting that he follow in the footsteps of the man responsible for the Minane Bridge scheme.
This is Question Time.
It is the only spot in Cork county standing now on a coastline of misery. I suggest the Minister consider that.
I know the Minane Bridge Scheme and all I can say is that the Land Commission, although they have no liability, are now engaged in this work. I have no estimate of what it would cost to repair the further breaches.
Would the Minister consider the wisdom of doing something permanent, in view of the damage caused by the breaches that occurred there last October on which his Department have been working since? It is now worse than ever. What is the use of spending £20,000 or £30,000 of public money in repairing embankments when the work will last only a couple of years? Why not do something definite?