asked the Minister for Finance if the Office of Public Works will replace a bridge which was removed in the course of drainage operations on the lands of a person in County Meath (name supplied) who is a widow and who has no access to the remainder of her farm since this bridge was removed.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Meath Bridge.
7.
Mr. Kenny
The Commissioners of Public Works did not remove a bridge here and it is not proposed to provide one. There had been stepping stones or a ford, which were removed in the course of drainage operations and a ford was constructed in lieu.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the lady concerned cannot take her cattle backwards and forwards across this river since it has been cleaned?
Mr. Kenny
The information at the disposal of the Department is that it was at the request of this widow's late husband that the commissioners drained this channel in 1972 when, also, they decided to construct the ford. It was not until July, 1974, that the lady concerned raised the question of the bridge. There was never a bridge there.
The ford to which the Parliamentary Secretary is referring is a slipway that goes down either side into the drain. Because of the movements of the cattle from one piece of land to the other the mud has built up and become solid so that it is no longer possible for the cattle to cross this ford, as the Parliamentary Secretary calls it. In view of that would he not consider having a bridge constructed?
Mr. Kenny
The reply states that a bridge will not be constructed there.
Question No. 8.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary not direct the Office of Public Works to build a bridge for this widow?
Mr. Kenny
I have always been sympathetic towards widows and, consequently, I will give the matter favourable consideration.