asked the Minister for Finance whether he is aware that the drainage works carried out on the Glyde river by the Board of Works have resulted in an increase of flooding of the land along the middle and lower reaches of the river; further, whether he will take steps to compensate the farmers whose lands have been made worse, and to relieve of the burden of drainage rates those farmers whose land has not been improved; and further, whether he will take steps to have the works necessary to reduce the flooding on the river to at least its former proportions, carried out without cost to the farmers affected.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Glyde River Drainage.
Mr. Bourke
The works of restoration carried out in the Glyde Drainage District under the Drainage Maintenance Act, 1924, were completed some years ago, and as there have been no complaints of serious flooding up to the current year, the present conditions may be fairly attributable to the recent extraordinary rainfall with which the district was never intended to deal. It is not proposed to pay compensation to any person whose lands have been flooded. However, not because the works had not been well done, but because the restoration works cost much more than was anticipated (mainly because extra works had to be carried out), the Minister for Finance some time ago decided to increase the Government free grant from 25 per cent. to 50 per cent. of the actual cost of the works, so as to relieve the farmers in the district of a great part of the burden of the drainage rates.
As much work as is permissible under the Drainage Maintenance Act, 1924, has already been done in the district, and, if further improvements are desired, the occupiers may proceed by petition under the Arterial Drainage Act, 1925, for the formation of a new drainage district. Of course they would continue to be liable for the charges in respect of the works already carried out.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the people in this locality were led to believe by the Minister for Finance that this drainage scheme was to be free?
Mr. Bourke
I am certainly not aware of that.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the people in this Finance interviewed the people in the locality at Ballyhoe Bridge before the General Election, and gave them to understand that the drainage was to be completely free?
Mr. Bourke
There must have been some misunderstanding about that.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the people of the district are complaining that there has been serious flooding for the last three or four years, and that the lands along the middle reaches of the river, instead of benefiting, have been worsened; that the upper regions swamp into them after rain, and that the flooding is of much longer duration than it was prior to the drainage operations?
Mr. Bourke
This is the first year we have had any complaint. It is an abnormal year. We have had more floods in Ireland this year than for the last twenty-five or thirty years.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary send inspectors down to the district and let them see for themselves?
Mr. Bourke
If the people concerned wish to proceed under the 1925 Act we will facilitate them in every way, but it is for them to take the first steps by petition.
The position is this: the people of the district understood that these drainage works were simply to give employment to ex-members of the Free State Army. They thought the scheme was altogether free. I have interviewed several people in the flooded districts, and they say that the lands have been very much disimproved. Under these circumstances, I should like to ask the Parliamentary Secretary if he will send down inspectors, and, if he finds that that is the case, if he will have the work carried out free of charge to the people?
Mr. Bourke
We have no power to do that. As a matter of fact, we have given a concession there that we have not given in any other district in Ireland.
The concession does not meet the case. I know people who are paying £14 extra in drainage rates for land which is much worse than ever it was before. I know the district myself. I often travelled through the bogs, and I know you could not travel through the bogs now.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that as the result of the recent flooding there a new lake has sprung up?
I wish to give notice that owing to the unsatisfactory reply received I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment.