asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware that a number of men were engaged very recently in dumping stones in the River Moy at Coolcronan, Foxford, thereby causing increased flooding of lands in this area while at the same time engineers from his Department are engaged on survey work; and, if so, what steps he proposes to take to have all these obstructions removed.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - River Moy Flooding.
I have no information in regard to the dumping of stones in the River Moy at Coolcronan, Foxford, Mayo.
If the Deputy will send particulars to my office I will have the matter investigated. I would point out, however, that the Commissioners of Public Works would have no power to interfere unless the dumped stones constituted a weir or other like construction which might cause flooding of land without the occupiers' consent.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that eight men were employed on this work about a month ago, that is on the work of erecting walls across the River Moy? I would like to remind him that I have seen these obstructions myself. I have spoken to the men who have been engaged on that work, and they admitted having erected the walls across the River Moy at the point mentioned. I would remind the Parliamentary Secretary that these stones and walls have been dumped in the River Moy and that, in consequence, a number of houses will be flooded when that river rises. What steps does the Parliamentary Secretary propose to take to remedy the situation?
As I said in my reply, I will have the matter investigated. I hope that when the investigation is being carried out the people who are making the complaints will co-operate and that it will not be like the previous occasion when they did not co-operate.
On a previous occasion an officer or officers of the Department visited this area. Despite the fact that they told me and the Parliamentary Secretary in my presence that there were no stones in the River Moy, I have seen them there myself. Some of the walls were built recently while officers of the Department are engaged on survey work. In view of the Parliamentary Secretary's unsatisfactory reply, I propose to raise this matter on the adjournment this evening.