asked the Minister for Lands why he considers that a project for the erection of a tidal embankment to ensure permanent protection for some twenty-two farmers whose lands are at present flooded at the Little Island and Cobh Junction districts of County Cork, which was mentioned in a reply of 15th March, would not be an economic proposition; what proposals were examined; what Department or Departments carried out the examination; the approximate date of the examination; and the estimated cost of the project.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - East Cork Tidal Embankments.
52.
I would refer the Deputy to my reply to his previous question on 23rd November last.
A proposal on the lines referred to in that reply came from a Land Commission Inspector about 30 years ago. Whilst a firm estimate of the cost of such a project does not appear to have been made at the time, the probable cost was regarded as likely to be prohibitive. As I have already stated, no scheme was prepared by the Land Commission as, apart from other considerations, marine reclamation was not their function.
53.
asked the Minister for Lands if he is aware that there are extensive breaches in embankments on the lands of John Kenefich, James Walsh, John O'Connell, John Lee, and John Hodnett, all of Shanakill, Ballymacoda, County Cork, Edmond Coleman, Aughavine, James Gould, Cooladerra, James Motherway, Clonpriest, Youghal and Patrick Smiddy, Creghmore, Youghal, County Cork as well as a number of farmers in the Gortroe district, Youghal totalling over 1,000 acres of arable land; and what steps he intends taking to restore these embankments.
Whilst the Land Commission have no liability for maintenance of these embankments, they have carried out an inspection of the damage caused by the recent severe storms and are at present considering the measure of financial assistance which can be given towards the cost of repairing such damage.