asked the Minister for Finance whether he is aware of the great hardship and loss of property suffered as a result of the flooding of the River Suir; and, if so, whether he is now in a position to state when the drainage of this river will commence.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Flooding of River Suir.
I am aware that lands adjoining the River Suir, in common with other areas throughout the country, have suffered from flooding during the recent abnormal weather. The carrying out of arterial drainage works in the River Suir catchment area must await a comprehensive scheme under the Arterial Drainage Act, 1945. It is not possible to say when such a scheme can be reached in the arterial drainage programme.
Arising out of the Parliamentary Secretary's reply, is he aware that the main eye of one of the bridges on the Suir is almost completely blocked as a result of military operations in 1921? If the Parliamentary Secretary is debarred from taking action at the moment, will he ask the Minister for Defence to have these bridges reopened?
It has been there since 1921 and I am to be blamed for it now.
I am not blaming the Parliamentary Secretary for it. I am only asking him to have it investigated and to ensure that the military authorities will remove the obstacles put there in 1921 through military necessity.
I can assure the Deputy and the House that this is a matter in which I am deeply interested at the moment. It will be considered by the Government in the near future probably. There are a good many obstructions in existence.