asked the Minister for Local Government if, in view of the fact that houses and the main road have been flooded at Clonee, County Meath, by the River Tolka, he has any plans for the cleaning of the course of this river or alternatively diverting the course of the river.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Meath Flooding.
92.
I understand that this river is among the minor catchments included in the arterial drainage programme of the Office of Public Works. Improvement works to the mouth of the river, costing approximately £50,000, and other works at different parts of the river in the Dublin area are being carried out by Dublin Corporation.
Is the Minister aware that, because the river flows through County Meath, County Dublin and through the area under the jurisdiction of the Dublin Corporation, there seems to be some special difficulty why a relatively minor job cannot be done? Would he use his good offices to try to get these three bodies to come together for the purpose of relieving flooding on the main road and in the village of Clonee? The problem can be solved if the will is there.
I shall have a look at it.
Is the Minister not aware that the delay arises because of the Board of Works? It does not lie with the Dublin County Council. There is a scheme for the drainage of the Tolka but that drainage will not be done until some years ahead.
It is not a question of delay. It is a question of displacing the order of priority.
But it is that delay that is causing the flooding.
There was flooding before ever there was a list.
I am not talking about the arterial drainage, which must be done, but there is a relatively small job which could be done and which might result in alleviating flooding in the future.
I appreciate the Deputy's sensible approach to the matter.