asked the Minister for Lands if he is aware of the grave flooding and erosion position on the Gaskell Estate, Ballycotton, County Cork, where owing to flooding, farmers are unable to sow their crops and in many cases sea water has rotted the seed; and if his engineers will examine the position with a view to having steps taken to alleviate the distress.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Flooding on Gaskell Estate (Cork).
34.
I would refer the Deputy to my reply to his previous question on 28th October, 1959. Full investigation disclosed that the alleviation of this flooding and coast erosion is not the responsibility of the Land Commission.
Is the Minister aware that these circumstances still obtain and that the land is being flooded?
This periodic flooding, as I understand it, does not fall within the provisions of the law, as lands exempted from annuities as permanently inundated or flooded land. I understand the flooding is caused by an outlet channel which flows through privately owned land. The question of clearing the channel is a matter between the tenants concerned and the owner of the land.
Is the Minister aware this is due to the negligence of the Land Commission, when purchasing this estate, in relation to sluice gates between the tenants and the sea? This area is still held as the property of the landlords. The sluice gates are neglected and they are causing the flooding.
That does not seem to be a question.
I am not so aware. The information before me does not indicate that there is any foundation for that suggestion. As in all other questions of drainage, if somebody does not clean an outlet it is for the parties concerned to have the matter resolved according to law.
Is the Minister not concerned that the Land Commission have a responsibility for public money invested in the purchase of the holding?
I have already stated in reply to this and previous questions that the Land Commission have no responsibility for the alleviation of the flooding in this particular case.
I hope they will get their annuities.
Send the Broy Harriers down to collect them.