asked the Minister for Local Government if he is aware that the Camlin River, Longford, flooded houses in Richmond Street, Longford recently; and of the danger to the health of the people of Longford arising from this occurence; and what precautions are taken by his Department to combat the danger to the health of the local population in cases like this.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Camlin River (Longford) Flooding.
28.
The initiation of measures for the relief of such flooding is a matter for the sanitary authority concerned. I understand that Longford County Council are examining the position in relation to the location referred to.
Is the Minister aware that at the spring meeting of the Longford County Council I moved a resolution asking that the outfall be cleared and that the obstacles blocking the lower reaches of the Camlin be removed and I suspect that this is the reason that Deputy L'Estrange has raised it now?
Is the Minister and the Fianna Fáil Deputy aware that this area has been continually flooded and has been flooding the people of Longford for the past 25 years and that so far Fianna Fáil have done nothing about it? Is the Minister further aware that I had a question down about this same subject last year and the previous year?
That is why Deputy Carter raised it at the County Council, of course.
Does the Minister now realise the urgent necessity to do something about this serious flooding which takes place year after year?
I am aware that Deputy L'Estrange has, as he says, been using this for political purposes while Deputy Carter has been taking practical steps.
Is the Minister aware that it was the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries who prompted the Minister for Local Government to give that answer?
Is it not a great thing to know that they are speaking? They were not a very short time ago.
Two heads are better than one even if they are only sheep's heads.
Will the Minister admit that he knows nothing about this flooding or has no interest in the small farmers or the people of Longford who have been continually flooded for the past 25 years? If he cannot give his own answer he can give me the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries' answer.
I did not get that yet. That is for the next supplementary.
Question No. 29. I cannot allow any further supplementary questions on the flooding of Longford.
I just want to say that I am glad to see the Ministers for Local Government and Agriculture and Fisheries speaking because I know that neither of them is speaking to the Taoiseach at the present time.
Are you still beating your wife?
Question No. 29.
As Deputy L'Estrange has indicated, this Fine Gael controlled county council have done nothing about this problem.
For the last ten years.