Vol. 560 No. 1
209 Mr. Cregan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when the Land Commission will arrange to have urgent remedial works carried out to lands at Ballysteen, Askeaton, County Limerick, to ensure that the farmers' lands are no longer flooded by waters from the River Shannon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27118/02]
My Department, as successor to the former Irish Land Commission, does not have responsibility for the maintenance, repair or restoration of river banks or embankments, or other works to prevent flooding.
However, arising from the acquisition of certain estates, the former Irish Land Commission retained a portion of the purchase money due to the estate owner for the ongoing maintenance and upkeep of embankments on those estates. These retained funds were entrusted to the public trustee, who is now an officer of my Department.
The public trustee has responsibility for the investment of these funds and the income earned may be applied for the specific purposes described in the trust deed for each estate. In the context of an ongoing or perpetual trust, it is established practice that the capital sum should not be used for general repairs except in very exceptional circumstances.
The persons concerned should contact the public trustee at my Department's Cavan office if the lands in question are located in an area subject to a trust fund.
