asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware that the flooding in the Mornington, Crookedwood and Multyfarnham areas, County Westmeath is now worse than it was one month ago; and that this area has now been flooded for five and a half months; and what action he intends to take to alleviate the flooding.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Westmeath Flooding.
39.
The continuing rainfall has prevented the flood from abating in this area. It has also hampered the engineering investigation required to see whether a satisfactory solution can be found. This investigation is proceeding as fast as conditions permit and a decision will be taken as early as possible.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that this area has been flooded for the last 5½ months, that doctors cannot get in to attend their patients, that priests recently were unable to attend the sick, that over 12 farms are completely submerged and the people living on them have to travel over nine miles to get into their farms, which are within 300 yards of them? This is most unfair and unjust. Is the Parliamentary Secretary further aware that a survey was carried out in this particular area three months ago and that all the necessary information must be in his office? Is he aware that the pipe was sunk, the land having been dug with pick, spade and shovel, in 1911? Surely, with the modern machinery and equipment the Board of Works have in 1966 they should be able to do this work within six months.
(Cavan): They had money in 1911.
The Deputy has asked a series of questions. For the Deputy's information, in the past six months the rainfall in this area has been 1½ times more than the normal rainfall and, in the last month, it was 2½ times the normal rainfall for that area. When the survey was done the Office of Public Works decided the area would be uneconomic. I have already told the Deputy that the matter would be examined again but, in order to examine it again, trial bores must be made and that must be done under reasonably dry weather conditions.
When does the Parliamentary Secretary expect to get reasonably dry weather?
Never, and, therefore, the survey will never be made.
Deputy Dillon is quite wrong, as usual. If Deputy L'Estrange wants to have his questions answered, I shall try to answer them.
I want something done for the people.
If we discover, as we may well do, that by new methods an economic scheme can be put into operation in this area, then it will be put into operation.
And if the water goes down and if the weather gets dry.
Does the Parliamentary Secretary mean to convey that unless it is an economic proposition, 20 small farmers will remain completely submerged for two or three years? Surely the Parliamentary Secretary realises that all that has to be done is to sink the same kind of shore that was sunk before with a two-foot pipe instead of a 10-inch pipe. If that is done all the water will be taken away immediately. Does the Parliamentary Secretary intend to do anything to alleviate flooding for these unfortunate farmers who are called upon to pay rates and who cannot make proper use of their land, cannot get to the shops, cannot get the priest or the doctor without travelling a distance of ten miles?
They will do nothing. The people on the Border have to travel ten miles and they are charged 2/- and you do nothing about it.
Deputy Harte will either allow the questions to proceed or he will leave the House. Will the Deputy please allow the Parliamentary Secretary to reply?
(Interruptions.)