asked the Minister for Fisheries whether he is aware that the banks of the Shannon at Bunlicky and Conigar, near Limerick, are in urgent need of repair; that large tracts of land have been flooded during the entire winter; that the resources of the tenants are entirely inadequate to repair the damage; and that the position of the tenants is such that unless some action is taken, it will be impossible for them to meet their obligations in land annuities; and, if this is so, what action the Minister proposes to take in the matter.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - SHANNON FLOODING NEAR LIMERICK.
Mr. GEORGE BENNETT
Mr. RODDY
The embankments at Bunlicky protect lands situated on the estate of J.D. Lyons which were purchased by the occupying tenants under the provisions of the Irish Land Act, 1903. In connection with the sale a fund for the upkeep and maintenance of the embankments was provided and a Deed of Trust was signed by all concerned under the provisions of which the fund was transferred to the Public Trustee and the administration thereof committed to local trustees appointed by the purchasing tenants. The Deed contains a clause providing for a capital expenditure to meet the case of any sudden or unusual damage caused by storms or floods.
The embankments at Conigar protect the lands of Conigar included in the estates of J.B. Barrington and John MacNeice, both of which have been sold under the Land Purchase Acts. In the case of the Barrington estate, the embankment protects only one holding. A fund was provided at the time of sale for the upkeep of the embankment. Up to the present the weather conditions have been such that it was impossible for any work to be carried out.
In the MacNeice estate, these lands were purchased by the then tenant under the Purchase of Land (Ireland) Act, 1885. They were purchased recently by MacNeice and subdivided into 20 plots among eighteen persons. In connection with this sale the purchasers signed a Deed of Trust by which they agreed to contribute £1 annually in respect of each plot of land held by them to the Public Trustee until a fund of £100 had accumulated, such fund to be then available for the repair of the embankments. This Deed is dated the 22nd August, 1925, and so far only £1 has been contributed in respect of this fund.
The Land Commission have under consideration what action they can take as regards these cases.