asked the Minister for Finance if he will state whether his attention has been directed to the extensive damage caused by flooding by the Blackwater River in Fermoy and district during the recent heavy rains; and, if so, (a) whether he has caused an inspection of the damage to be made, (b) whether an estimate of the damage has been made, and (c) what steps he proposes to take to guard against a recurrence of this problem.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Damage by Flooding.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 26 and 27 together. I have no doubt that damage resulted from the flooding of the river referred to in the questions but according to my information the problems arising from flooding in this area are in no way comparable with those of many other areas in the country. There is no prospect, at this stage, that this condition of affairs will be relieved by the execution of a drainage scheme under the Arterial Drainage Act, 1945.