asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware of the substantial flooding that has occurred at the Moorland embankment in Dundalk, which has caused serious damage to property in the area and that the Dundalk Urban District Council is claiming that the Office of Public Works are the responsible body; the plans his Department has to carry out the much needed repair work to the embankment which is the main cause of the flooding; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Dundalk Flooding.
392.
The Commissioners of Public Works are empowered by the Coast Protection Act, 1963, to undertake and maintain coast protection schemes; the Act does not confer on the Commissioners responsibility in relation to flooding or consequential damage arising from flooding. The Commissioners have received a proposal under the 1963 Act from Louth County Council for a coast protection scheme at Castletown, Dundalk, County Louth, an area which includes the Moorland embankment. The statutory preliminary examination of this proposal has been undertaken and the report on the examination is now under consideration with a view to making a determination under section 4 (1) of the Act as to whether the circumstances are such that the preparation and execution of a coast protection scheme is warranted or feasible. That determination will be made shortly.