asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware that lands in the Shannon area of County Offaly have been covered with water since 1st November 1965; when the drainage of the Shannon will commence; if flooded land will be derated; if the people in the area can be given additional land to replace the lands under water and now useless; and if any system of compensation to landowners can be formulated in order to avoid total losses in the area.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Offaly Flooding.
8.
I am aware that lands in the area in question have been subject to flooding during the past winter.
It is not possible to say at this stage when the drainage of the Shannon will commence.
Land subject to flooding remains legally rateable unless and until it has been struck out of the Valuation List as being permanently and completely flooded and having ceased to exist as land.
The Land Commission have been operating a special scheme in the area to provide dwelling houses, outoffices and dry stands for cattle above the flood-level and several land tenants there have benefited under the scheme.
No funds are available to compensate land owners for flood losses.
Might I ask the Parliamentary Secretary if, in view of the fact that many farmers in the Shannon Valley have not seen their lands since 1st November last, he now intends to take very special and unusual action to bring this very serious matter to the Government's attention? Apart from the promises made prior to every general election and which will undoubtedly be repeated prior to the Presidential election, what steps, if any, have the Government in mind to relieve the plight of these small-holders?
That is another question.
Could the Parliamentary Secretary tell me when it is proposed to spend the money which it has already been announced by the Government is to be spent on the drainage of the Shannon?
It is not possible to say at this stage when the drainage of the Shannon will commence.
In order to save the Parliamentary Secretary from making an announcement a week or two prior to the Presidential election, will he now tell the Dáil when it is proposed to spend the money promised by the Government for the drainage of the Shannon?
I have already answered that question.