asked the Minister for Finance whether he can state if the Commissioners of Public Works have come to a decision on the report of the land valuer who investigated the flooding of lands at Rooskey by the Shannon, and whether it is their intention to formulate a scheme for the reduction of flooding in the area referred to.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - SHANNON FLOODS AT ROOSKEY (ROSCOMMON).
The Commissioners of Public Works are advised that to effect any substantial improvement in the Shannon flooding in Counties Roscommon and Leitrim would involve works upon the river whose cost would far exceed the economic value to the landowners of the improvement effected. Moreover, the conditions will probably be changed by the "Further Development" portion of the Shannon Power Scheme in a few years' time. In the circumstances it would be inexpedient and imprudent to carry out any drainage works in this area until the Shannon power works are completed, or at least defined.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary state what the estimated cost will approximately be?
Mr. BOURKE
Any works that would be likely to give satisfaction would include the widening of the river, which means cutting through solid rock in that part of the country. That would cost approximately £100,000. The annual charge resulting from that to the landowners that would be benefited would amount to £8,000. The annual increase in value resulting from that would be about £1,400. It would mean a free grant from the Government and the County Council of about 84 per cent. of the cost if the work were to be carried out.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that a letter has been sent from the Board of Works to some people in this locality setting out that on the completion of the Shannon Scheme the water level there will be raised three feet, and will the Parliamentary Secretary state what steps does he intend to take to see that thousands of acres are not inundated? It is a very serious state of affairs.
Mr. BOURKE
No one can state definitely yet what the consequences will be when the further development of the scheme takes place on the Shannon.
But is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the statement has been made by the Board of Works?
With regard to the further development, not the present; that is with regard to further embankment.