asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware of the serious damage being caused by the flooding of the Termon river at Pettigo, County Donegal; and, if so, if he will have it drained forthwith.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Donegal River Drainage.
54.
As the Deputy was told in reply to his question on 10th February last, an engineering inspection of the Termon river was made in 1960. The yield of damaged land in the catchment would be too small and too scattered to make it a feasible proposition for arterial drainage. In view of the present commitments of the Commissioners of Public Works in regard to arterial drainage and the extent of the problem throughout the country, there is no prospect of the Termon river being dealt with at present.
Arising out of the Parliamentary Secretary's reply which I did not hear, would the Taoiseach not avail of this opportunity to make a statement on the flooding in Donegal, on the subject of which I sent him a telegram to which he did not afford me the courtesy of a reply? I realise it is an ad hoc question because it refers to a specific river but will the Taoiseach say whether he intends declaring County Donegal a distress area?
That is another question, not pertinent here.
It rained in other parts of the country, too.
Is that the reply the people of Donegal are to get? It rained in the North Strand in Dublin also while the inter-Party Government were in power, and we acted.
We know the answer we got from you.
They got money in the Shannon catchment as well.
From the Fianna Fáil Government who succeeded the Coalition Government.
You were only a boy then.
55.
asked the Minister for Finance if in view of the extensive flooding in the Finn and Lennon valleys, County Donegal he will state what steps he proposes to take by way of proper drainage to prevent a recurrence and to provide better farming conditions for the farmers who work these farms.
56.
asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware that many valuable acres of arable land in the townlands of Ballinamore, Meenesrone and Meenmore East, County Donegal are being rendered useless by flooding of the River Finn; and if he will take steps to have the river cleaned.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 55 and 56 together. The Finn is placed No. 26 in the approved priority list of major catchments and the Lennon No. 25 in the approved list of minor catchments. Each of these catchments will be dealt with in its turn in due course but I cannot at present say when either catchment may be reached.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary please speak up? I did not hear a word he said.
It is further evidence that the acoustics in this place have been ruined by these yokes in front of us.
I did not hear what the Parliamentary Secretary said.
You were not listening.
Did you, Sir, hear what he said?
Will the Deputies please listen?
We are trying to.
Some of the Deputies who claim they cannot hear were interrupting. I heard the reply.
I wish to give notice that I intend raising on the Adjournment the subject matter of Question No. 55. Perhaps we shall hear it then.