asked the Minister for Finance the present position in regard to the drainage of the River Suck; and when it is intended to proceed with this work.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Drainage of River Suck.
21.
The question of a drainage scheme for the River Suck must await consideration of the report on the preliminary investigation of the Shannon problem recommended by Mr. Rydell. That report has recently been received and is being considered.
In view of the fact that a recent flood on the Suck caused grave damage to hay and turf belonging to small farmers from Ballinasloe to Castlerea, would the Parliamentary Secretary not consider this case urgent, particularly in view of the fact that the area would have been drained were it not for the Rydell report?
The question is very much bound up with the Rydell report and it will come up for consideration under the terms of that report.
I do not want to delay the House. Evidently the Parliamentary Secretary is not aware that all the callow land along the Suck has been flooded, that the hay has been floated off, that the aftergrass has been destroyed and that the turf has been swept away? In addition, the small farmers in that locality have had to take out their cattle——
That is not a question.
Let me make this quite clear. These unfortunate farmers are in a serious position due to their losses——
The Deputy is not asking a question.
In view of the circumstances, is the Parliamentary Secretary prepared either to compensate them for their losses or to step up the River Suck in the priority list?
I am aware there is flooding time and again on the Suck. The same answer has been given here time and again to questions asked about the Suck. It is directly associated with the most critical portion of the Shannon flooding problem and is specifically referred to in the report. Until the report is fully examined we could not say what action could be taken on it.
Is it not a fact——
The Deputy may not ask questions all the evening.
I asked only three or four.