asked the Minister for Finance whether his attention has been drawn to the serious plight of residents in the Blackpool area, Cork, as a result of flood damage; whether he will compensate these people for their losses; and, if necessary, introduce proposals at an early date providing for legislation to compensate victims of flood damage.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Compensation for Flood Damage.
I have no official information regarding the flooding mentioned by the Deputy.
As regards the second part of the question it is not the intention of the Government to consider compensation in such cases.
Arising out of the Parliamentary Secretary's reply, when it can be shown that flooding is caused by the neglect of a Government Department or a local authority, apart altogether from heavy rainfall, am I to take it that even then the Department will not compensate the people for flood damage? I can show that in this specific instance there has been a certain amount of neglect by some authority in not providing a wall which would prevent flooding.
I take it the same neglect has existed for the past 16 years.
That is not an answer to my question.
It is a fair comment.