asked the Minister for Local Government if he will make a statement on the extensive flooding that occured in Wexford town on Monday, 29th November, in which a man lost his life and where there was considerable loss of property and personal effects; and if he will have an investigation by officials of his Department and of the Wexford Corporation into frequent flooding in the town.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Wexford Flooding.
139.
Both the Wexford Corporation and my Department are aware of the problems created by the periodic flooding at King Street, Wexford. In July, 1970, I approved of a scheme adopted by the corporation which is designed to remove as far as practicable, this danger. In February, 1971, I approved of the Corporation's proposal to accept a tender for the construction of the scheme and in May, 1971, I sanctioned raising a loan of £115,000 to finance it. I understand that the work is to commence next month.
When the full facts of the flooding which occurred on 29th November, including the intensity, duration and extent of the rainfall are established, if they indicate the desirability of modifying the drainage scheme, suitable modifications can be incorporated.
As regards the sad death which occurred, this is a matter to be examined at an inquest and it would not be appropriate for me to comment on it.
No doubt the Minister is aware that completion of this scheme will take a long time. Perhaps the Minister might be able to tell us when it will be completed? In the meantime, there is the possibility that a similar type of flooding could occur, not only in this part of the town where the unfortunate man lost his life, but in other parts of the town, in the vicinity of King Street. Does the Minister not think that there should be an investigation, as I suggested in my question, by officials of his Department and officials of the Wexford Corporation to ensure that the necessary precautions will be taken so that there will be at least a minimum amount of damage to property and that precautions will be taken to ensure that there will not be any further loss of life? I think the Minister and his Department must be aware that the flooding rose to such a height that anyone could have been drowned in the circumstances that prevailed on Monday, 29th November.
The Deputy will have to accept that this matter has been considered fully and a decision made. We have agreed in the Department on the necessity for a scheme to relieve flooding in this area and everything possible has been done by the Department in santioning all stage of the scheme. Now we are at a stage where work is about to commence. The Deputy can be assured that local authority officials in Wexford are conscious of the points he has made and will take any steps they can take to alleviate or reduce the extent of flooding should there be similar occurences in the period between now and when the scheme is completed. It would be unreasonable to expect that some major solution could be found other than the implementation of this scheme, which all agree is necessary.
It is true that officials of the corporation and voluntary workers did everything possible in the circumstances but, in view of the fact that this could recur at any time, there should be some further effort made by the Department and the officials of the Wexford Corporation. The Minister may have been asked the following question by the Wexford Corporation but, in view of the heavy burden on the ratepayers in Wexford so far as this very unusual problem is concerned, would the Minister not consider taking some steps to relieve the ratepayers of what would be a very heavy impost on them? I am saying this, conscious of the fact that flooding occurs in other towns in Ireland. So far as the frequency and extent of flooding are concerned, they are unusual in Wexford. While I do not expect the Minister or any official to commit himself, can he tell me whether those people who drew up the scheme are optimistic that it will do something to relieve the flooding?
Not only are they optimistic but they are satisfied that the scheme as proposed will deal with major flooding problems in this area. However, I must point out that conditions could obtain at a future date where, due to unusual circumstances, there could be flooding of a magnitude where even this scheme could not cope with it. In that case the scheme might be found to be deficient but I do not expect that such a situation would arise. In designing schemes of this nature one must be practical. The scheme as designed is drawn up in such a way as to alleviate the flooding that has been occurring at this point for some years.
Can the Minister state when the work will be completed?
I have not that information but, having regard to the size of the scheme, I am sure it would take from 12 to 18 months.