asked the Minister for Finance whether he is aware of the serious flooding which exists on the river known as the Riffey, running through parts of Longford and Westmeath, for a distance of six miles, and flooding some hundreds of acres of land for six months of the year; and whether any grant will be made available to drain this land, and also to relieve unemployment.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - RIVER RIFFEY FLOODING.
Mr. BOURKE
The Commissioners of Public Works have received petitions from the County Councils of Longford and Westmeath under the Arterial Drainage Act, 1925, in respect of the drainage of the River Riffey. They have obtained reports from an engineer and a valuer on the proposal.
The Riffey is a tributary of the Inny, and the possibility of forming one district to include both the existing Upper and Lower Inny drainage districts as well as several tributaries is being investigated.
Until this proposal has been explored the Commissioners cannot arrive at a definite decision in respect of the drainage of the Riffey River.
The matter will be expedited as much as possible.