asked the Minister for Finance if he will state in regard to the flooding in the MorningtonCrookedwood and Multyfarnham areas, County Westmeath whether the reexamination referred to in a reply of 23rd February, 1966 has been completed; and what action it is proposed to take in the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Westmeath Flooding.
24.
I am advised that the engineering examination of this problem to determine whether a solution is possible at reasonable cost will require investigation over a period in dry weather conditions. The report will not be available for about three months.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that there are over 200 acres of land flooded for the past 4½ months? Two main roads are flooded and people cannot get to their own farms, some of which are only 200 yards away. They cannot get into their farms without going distances of six and seven miles. What does the Parliamentary Secretary intend doing about it?
I seem to recall that Deputy L'Estrange ascribed this flooding to a blockage of a 12-inch pipe in this particular area. Is that not true?
That is quite right.
I am very surprised that Deputy L'Estrange is not aware of the fact that the Westmeath County Council have succeeded in clearing this pipe.
Further arising out of the Parliamentary Secretary's answer, I want to inform him that I live within 100 yards of this. The pipe is supposed to have been cleared three weeks ago. The water is still as high as it was then and if you wait until the floods are cleared to carry out an investigation, the people will be flooded for the next ten years. There is no sign of the flooding going down.
This cannot be investigated unless it is examined in dry weather.