asked the Minister for Lands and Agriculture whether he can state what steps, if any, have been taken by the Land Commission since the 19th February, 1925, to remedy the serious flooding of the holdings of twenty-five congests in the townland of Barleyhill, Kingscourt, Co. Meath.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - FLOODING AT BARLEYHILL (CO. MEATH).
Mr. HOGAN
The lands of Barleyhill are situate in a Drainage district and the matter of keeping the river in order is one for the Drainage Board and not for the Land Commission. The Commissioners have had the untenanted lands at Drumcondra, on the Singleton Estate, which is situate in the neighbourhood of Barleyhill, inspected, and will issue an offer for the purchase thereof at an early date, and they hope when they acquire these lands to be in a position to relieve the congestion in Barleyhill.
In view of the Minister's reply to me about a year ago, can he say if an inspector visited that area and inquired into the hardship existing there?
Mr. HOGAN
In connection with the drainage?
Yes.
Mr. HOGAN
The Land Commission have nothing to do with drainage. There is a Drainage Board, and nominees of the tenants can ask the County Council for a rate to keep the river in order. They have ample statutory power, and they can make a demand on the County Council and get the order. If the particular river comes within the purview of the new legislation that was passed, they can put the machinery provided in that legislation into operation. In neither event has the Land Commission anything to do with the matter.
The question appears to be confused. Is the Minister aware that he informed me about a year ago that an inspector would be sent to Barleyhill by the Land Commission to inquire into congestion and drainage there, and that nothing has since been done in the matter?
Mr. HOGAN
I have no reason to doubt that I did inform the Deputy that an inspector would be sent to make inquiries. The result of his inquiries regarding drainage I have given. An offer has been made for certain lands which will enable the Commissioners to relieve congestion at Barleyhill.
What I am asking is, has the Minister sent an inspector to Barleyhill to inquire into the condition of the 25 congests living there?
Mr. HOGAN
Obviously the Land Commission would not make an offer for the purchase of certain land, naming the price, without sending an inspector there to have it valued.
rose.
The Deputy can put down another question on that matter.