asked the Minister for Finance whether he is aware that extensive flooding takes place annually along the Gweestion, Glore and Yellow Rivers, in County Mayo; and if he can state what steps have been taken up to the present by his Department and by the Mayo County Council to prevent the great losses suffered by the landholders in the districts affected by the flooding of these rivers.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - MAYO FLOODING.
Petitions under the Arterial Drainage Act, 1925, in respect of three rivers in the district referred to, the Gweestion, Pollagh and Yellow Rivers, have been transmitted to the Commissioners of Public Works by the Mayo County Council. The Commissioners have had the petitions investigated by an engineer and a valuer, and find that a scheme to afford relief from flooding would cost at least £12,000, and would be quite uneconomic without free grants to the extent of about 65 per cent. of the cost. The Commissioners accordingly inquired, in April last, whether the County Council were prepared to make a free grant of about 15 per cent. of the cost, to supplement a conditional grant of 50 per cent. from the Government.
The County Council have deferred consideration of the matter pending a decision on the much larger scheme for the drainage of the River Moy, of which the three rivers referred to are tributaries. Engineer's and valuer's reports on the Moy scheme are at present before the Commissioners of Public Works, and no avoidable delay will take place in considering them and placing the results before the County Council.
Mr. O'CONNELL
Would the Parliamentary Secretary state if the County Council is free to carry out this particular scheme if it so desires, and if it gives that contribution?
Mr. BOURKE
It would have to be submitted afterwards to the occupiers of the land who would benefit under the scheme. But, if they give 15 per cent., we would be prepared to continue what further proceedings were necessary.