asked the Minister for Finance if it has been intimated to him that the drainage now being carried out on the River Brosna has considerably increased the flow of water in the River Shannon between Athlone and Meelick, with resultant damage to the lands in that area; and if he will state what arrangements, if any, have been made with the Electricity Supply Board to have the sluice gates at Meelick operated in a manner that will prevent further damage to the adjoining lands.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Increase in Shannon Flow.
I am advised that the works so far as carried out under the Brosna catchment drainage scheme have not increased the flow in the River Shannon.
The Parliamentary Secretary has answered only a very small portion of the question. Is he aware that, despite statements and explanations by the Electricity Supply Board and the Department of Industry and Commerce on various occasions, the people in that area still hold that the way in which the sluice gates are manipulated at Meelick is causing increased flooding in that area? Have any arrangements been come to with the Electricity Supply Board in that particular matter?
I think I informed the Deputy on previous occasions that the keeper of the sluice gates at Meelick has standing instructions to open the sluices when there is danger of flooding between Meelick and Athlone.
The people there contend that that is not being carried out.
The Deputy from Roscommon would not say that.