asked the Minister for Finance if he has received complaints that public and private water supplies have failed in parts of County Meath as a result of the work being done on the river Boyne; what his Department's intention is with regard to the problem; and whether his Department is liable for remedying the position.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Meath Water Supplies.
31.
There have been complaints that some wells in County Meath, including one which serves county council houses at Bective, have dried out allegedly following drainage operations under the Boyne scheme. These complaints are being investigated and each case will be treated on its merits. The Commissioners of Public Works have been advised that they have no legal liability for the behaviour of wells fed from underground or undefined channels.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary saying that if, in fact, as alleged, the drainage of the Boyne takes away public and private water supplies which have cost private individuals and local authorities a substantial amount of money, the Board of Works do not propose to compensate the people suffering as a result?
I should like to put it this way. Of the various complaints we have received, in one case we have definitely established that the Board of Works are in no way responsible and in connection with the other ones certain proposals have been made to us by the county engineer and these are being investigated and certainly if the Office of Public Works have any liability in the matter they will meet their obligations.
This is causing a lot of unease in the area. Would the Parliamentary Secretary be prepared to say that the Board of Works would meet the people concerned in a reasonable way irrespective of whether or not the law says they have no responsibility?
I could not offhand go against the legal advice given to me but I think experience elsewhere has been that the board have met cases of this nature in a reasonable way.
I am afraid that is not so. If it was I should not be asking the question.