Vol. 232 No. 2
asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware of the grave danger to the health of the people of Longford town owing to the flooding of the Camlin River, which is causing the sewerage to back up and flood part of the town; and what action he proposes to take in the matter.
124.
asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware of the fact that the Office of Public Works are keeping the level of the Camlin River, County Longford, too high; that it is causing flooding to houses and property in Longford town and is ruining thousands of acres of land; and what action he proposes to take in the matter.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 123 and 124 together.
I am not aware that conditions are as represented by the Deputy.
The Camlin river is the main river of the Longford catchment area and could be dealt with by the Commissioners of Public Works only by means of a comprehensive drainage scheme for that catchment under the Arterial Drainage Act, 1945. The Longford catchment is listed for treatment under that Act but present commitments and the extent of the drainage problem throughout the country make it impossible for me to say when it will be reached. The Shannon navigation installations do not affect the levels of the Camlin River at Longford town.
Surely the Parliamentary Secretary is aware there was grave flooding there recently? Shops and houses in the town of Longford were flooded with sewage, due to the fact that this river backed up. Is he aware that a few years ago when the sluice gates were broken down by the flooding the flooding itself went down at the rate of an inch a minute and that at one time where acres are now flooded people used to have meadows and tillage? Surely somebody must be responsible for the present situation?
I am aware there is a serious flooding problem not only in these areas but in many other areas throughout the country and that we are dealing with it effectively.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary not suggest to the Board of Works that the sluice gates be lowered? As I said, when they were washed away previously, the flood went down immediately but later the gates were replaced. Eighty per cent of these people affected in Longford are real small farmers. Surely they are entitled to better treatment than this? They will have to pay their rates at the end of March.
Questions No. 125 and No. 126 postponed.
