asked the Minister for Finance whether he is aware that, in the carrying out of drainage work on the River Nenagh in the Ballycommon and Ballyartella area, County Tipperary in 1956, the agents and servants of the Commissioners of Public Works caused considerable damage to crops in the area; that, by raising the level of the river, they caused permanent damage to the natural drainage of the area with resultant flooding of land at frequent intervals; and that no compensation has been paid on account of this damage; and whether he will investigate thoroughly the actions of the Commissioners of Public Works in this case.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Tipperary Drainage Work.
6.
I have investigated this complaint. I am satisfied that the works carried out under the drainage scheme in this area did not raise the water level or worsen flood conditions —on the contrary the embankments built there have given full protection from flooding and the back drains provided behind the embankments afford an adequate outfall for drainage of the land in all conditions.
I am sure the Parliamentary Secretary is aware that considerable damage was caused to this man's property, to a crop of wheat and another tillage crop which he had in the ground at the time, and is he aware that his Department have pleaded the Gaming Act as regards compensation and that it is actually statute barred?
Our Department could have pleaded that. In fact his claim was statute barred. In August last year, the claimant's solicitor said they would go to arbitration. Since that time nothing has been heard.
I wish to thank the Parliamentary Secretary but will he now notify the landowner who has lost a vast sum of money, more than he could afford going around to various solicitors and so on, that they are prepared to meet him?
He had the one solicitor the whole time.
I do not think so.
We notified that solicitor in August, 1963, that we would be prepared to go to arbitration.
I understand that the offer made for the loss of three or four acres of wheat, plus damage caused by flooding, was £45.
The acreage quoted by the Deputy is not correct and the figure of £45 was quite liberal and subsequently we were far more liberal and increased that offer substantially.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary——
We cannot keep this up all day.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary refer that to the Minister for Agriculture who would have given us more than that figure for half an acre of wheat?
It is well the Minister for Transport and Power had nothing to do with it or he would not get twopence.