asked the Minister for Lands if he will repair the sea barriers at Pilmore, Youghal, County Cork, to prevent the extensive flooding in the area.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Youghal Sea Barriers.
35.
The Land Commission have no liability for the repair of sea-embankments at Pilmore. However, I am asking them to consider whether they would be prepared to assist in the carrying out of necessary repairs.
Is the Minister not aware that the people of Pilmore, who are involved here, were recently requested by the Land Commission to contribute towards the cost of repairing the sea barrier?
I am so aware.
Why then does the Minister say he has no responsibility here?
I said the Land Commission have no liability for the repairs but they have been willing to accept the agency of having the repairs carried out. In fact, the responsibility lies with the local trustees who operate a trust fund. To make it possible for the beneficiaries to contribute, the Land Commission act as an agency in the carrying out of necessary repairs.
Has the Minister, in fact, received the subscription from the trustee fund?
No.
When the Minister——
Question No. 36. We cannot have so many supplementaries.
One last supplementary, a Cheann Comhairle.
Very well.
When the Minister does, in fact, receive the subscription from the trustee fund how soon then can we expect to have the damage, which is causing extensive flooding in the Pilmore area, repaired?
It is a question of first things coming first. The first thing is the contribution of the beneficiaries towards getting the work done. There is no point in the Deputy asking me to commit the Minister for Lands to commit the Land Commission to doing something until such time as the contributions have been subscribed. There would not be any great delay in having the work carried out.