(Carlow-Kilkenny): Walking the plank in Carlow is a serious matter. While it is almost 40 years since Carlow was flooded in 1947, flooding occurred there on three occasions recently, in 1990, 1993 and again this year. Nothing much has changed in the town since 1947. The streets have not been lowered nor have many new buildings been erected, but for some reason Carlow has been flooded three times in five years.
The Office of Public Works should carry out a study on what caused the flooding. Householders and business people deserve to have that office examine the position and take steps to alleviate the flooding by carrying out three relatively cheap jobs in the area, proposals for which were submitted by the urban council on 26 June 1993. First, the construction of training river walls along the Barrow track, second, the provision of a flat valve at Graiguecullen and, third, the construction of a new junction where the river Burren meets the Barrow at Graiguecullen. At an estimated cost of £120,000 these three constructions could bring relief to the people of Carlow and Graiguecullen.
The Office of Public Works should immediately undertake another study the feasibility of dredging works on the Barrow in the environs of Carlow town and downstream. Leighlinbridge an Graiguenamanagh are also flooded downstream from Carlow. The question is whether dredging is being done upstream with no preparation to allow the water to flow into the sea. The removal of silt would be a major help in preventing the second biggest river in Ireland — the Barrow — from flooding again.
Compensation must be provided to individuals, private business people whose property is flooded because their financial loss is great. They cannot get insurance cover because the danger of flooding has always existed. While the European scene is dreadful, the people of Carlow suffer the same fate. A flooded house is a flooded house regardless of location. Not only should compensation be paid to them, it should be paid quickly.
While the Minister is not directly involved in the provision of bridges, the long awaited bridge over the river in Carlow would at least allow people to travel from Rosslare to the west without going through floods. It is unfortunate that we waited two years for an inquiry and signing a bridge order. If this had been done we might be close to providing the badly needed bridge. I ask the Minister to give the people of Carlow some hope that the Office of Public Works will deal urgently with the second biggest river in Ireland which is slow moving and silts up. I hope the Minister has good news.