asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he is aware that a public meeting was held in Skibbereen in April, 1943, to call his attention to the serious periodical flooding of the town, which endangers the health and lives of the people; that the Skibbereen Urban Council, at a meeting held on April 3rd, 1943, requested him to send down an engineer to prepare plans of a scheme that would prevent such flooding taking place in future; that recently several streets in Skibbereen were flooded to such an extent that a boat was plying through them for nearly 12 hours; and that residents of houses affected have been subjected to much loss and suffering; and, if so, if he will urgently consider providing funds in the way of a free grant to alleviate the position of the victims of the flooding.
Ceisteanna. — Questions. Oral Answers. - Skibbereen Flooding.
I am aware of the resolution passed at a public meeting held in Skibbereen in April, 1943, and adopted by the Skibbereen Urban District Council in regard to flooding in the urban district. The resolution requested that an engineer from my Department be sent to examine and report on the best method of prevention. The matter was investigated at the time by an engineering inspector of my Department and following the receipt of his report a communication was addressed to the council on 16th October, 1943. It was suggested that an exhaustive survey would be required to determine the most suitable remedy and that the matter was one to be considered in the first instance by the local authority who could prepare an appropriate scheme. The preparation of the necessary plans could not be undertaken by the technical staff of my Department. The matter would appear to be one in which the advice of a consulting engineer should be obtained.
I have received no representations regarding recent flooding of the streets of Skibbereen and I am not in a position to make any statement in relation thereto.
The Minister admits that there were complaints of flooding and that these were investigated. I should like to know if there was any contact with members of the local council regarding the matter. Is the Minister aware that this has been an outstanding grievance in Skibbereen for many years, and that it was raised in the British House of Commons by Daniel O'Connell in 1843? Can the Minister promise to have some steps taken to deal with the complaints? Will he answer that part of the question?
The Minister could not answer while the Deputy remains on his feet.
Is it because of the poor reception the Minister got in Skibbereen when he went there electioneering that he refuses to answer?