asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he is aware of the severe flooding caused by the malfunction of the tidal trapdoor on the sea wall at Tawnaghbawn, Cashel, County Galway; and if he proposes to take any action to alleviate the position.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Galway Flooding.
31.
I am aware of flooding in the area referred to.
My function in the maintenance of piers is confined to those which are important for fishing or agriculture and the pier referred to is not in that category.
Is the Minister aware that the pier forms part of a sea wall which was constructed originally by the Land Commission some years ago to prevent flooding? Both of the Departments which come under the Minister's jurisdiction are involved. The local fishermen are anxious to see the pier repaired so that they can keep their boats at this location. The local farmers are also interested to see this pier repaired and the tidal trapdoor functioning properly in order to alleviate a severe flooding problem. I have approached every Department and the county council to try to find out who will accept responsibility for this work.
The Deputy is making a very long statement. I have given him a lot of latitude.
I tried to find out who is passing the buck. I put down the question to the Minister to ask him if he would be the one to take some positive steps to reduce the flooding and improve the fishing facilities. He is the proper man to take action because everybody else is passing the buck.
The pier at Tawnaghbawn was erected by the Land Commission many years ago to facilitate the landing of seaweed. It forms part of a sea wall which serves to prevent flooding of an adjoining tract of land. Responsibility for maintenance was not undertaken by the Land Commission or assigned to anyone in particular. Representations were recently made by Deputy Molloy to have the pier and the sea wall repaired. Reports from the Department's sea fishery officer and the senior supervisory agricultural officer for the area indicated that the structures are in poor condition and that extensive repairs are required. The pier is used only for the landing of seaweed about-500 tons per year. The Deputy was informed that the expenditure necessary to have the repairs executed would not be warranted by the agricultural and fishery interest involved. Grants are given under the land project scheme for the drainage and reclamation of agricultural land and for the improvement of outfall drains where this is necessary to provide a satisfactory outlet for the drainage of land for agricultural use. It is not the practice to give grants out of the project funds towards the repair of tidal trapdoors.
I am surprised that the Minister should resort to reading out a Civil Service script to me giving a lot of information which I already have. I was hoping from the Minister, in reply to my question, that he would decide to take action in this matter which is of concern to fishermen and farmers in this area. It could not possibly be used extensively for fishing purposes at present because of its condition.
I am afraid the Deputy is indulging in an argument. We must pass on to Question No. 32.
The Minister's use of that argument is rather weak. Is he prepared to try to find some way to meet the needs of the fishermen and farmers in this area, or will he ignore them completely?
I am told that it is not in the fishermen's interest at all.
The fishermen want to keep their boats there but because of its present condition they cannot. It needs to be repaired.
We cannot resolve the problem by disputation.
Will the Minister accept responsibility for it? Will he undertake to have another look at it?
It is the responsibility of the Land Commission, not mine. I think the Deputy will accept that if the Land Commission constructed something which is defective——
Can I take it from what the Minister has said that this is a clear statement of where the responsibility lies? The Land Commission are the people responsible.
The Deputy cannot take any such thing.
Deputy Molloy should stop playing politics.
Question No. 32.
I want to make it quite clear——
The Deputy has been allowed a lot of latitude but he seems to be inclined to abuse it.
One final question, and I am not playing politics. It is difficult to try to find somebody who is responsible for carrying out the work. Will the Minister agree to re-consider the matter and come back to me by way of a letter?
You come back to the Minister.
There is sufficient information in the Minister's Department. If the Minister for Labour looked after his own Department it would be much more helpful.
I have no objection to having another look at it but I am advised that it was not important for fishing or agriculture.
That is the opinion of some officials. Will the Minister re-consider it?