asked the Minister for Finance whether reports that a Dutch firm are about to commence drainage of the Coragh River, Carrig-on-Bannow, County Wexford affecting some 3,200 acres of land, are correct; and, if so, if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Wexford Drainage.
109.
I have seen a newspaper report, the truth of which I cannot vouch for, that a Dutch company have "in hand" the reclamation of 2,300 acres at Carrig-on-Bannow, and I presume this is the report referred to. I must point out that the Commissioners of Public Works have no duties or powers in relation to land reclamation and they have not been consulted in regard to the work referred to.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the land in question drains into a river? Can the Parliamentary Secretary state how the statement to which I referred in my question was made at a Fine Gael district meeting at Murphy's Hollow, Ramsgrange, County Wexford? If this is the kind of headlines we will get in the local papers——
The Deputy is making a long statement.
This is a serious matter. The statement was made at a Fine Gael district meeting and I should like to know if the Parliamentary Secretary can back it up. I want him to clarify if false statements were made at the Fine Gael meeting.
Mr. Kenny
Surely the Deputy is not foolish enough to believe every newspaper report? I have tried to ascertain the truth of this report——
Does the Parliamentary Secretary agree or disagree that statements like this should not be made at Fine Gael meetings?
Mr. Kenny
I do not agree or disagree regarding the truth or falsehood of these statements.
Apart from what happened at that meeting and what appeared in the newspapers, would the Parliamentary Secretary take an interest in this area where there is a large acreage of land that could be reclaimed at a reasonable cost? I would ask the Parliamentary Secretary also to seek a copy of the report that was made on this area many years ago.
Mr. Kenny
The Parliamentary Secretary takes an interest in all areas for which the Office of Public Works are responsible.
We cannot have a debate on this matter. I am calling Question No. 110.
I accept that the Parliamentary Secretary takes an interest in all areas, but I would ask him to take a special interest in this particular area.
Mr. Kenny
Because of the Deputy's representations in this House I will do that——
I am calling Question No. 110.
Would the Tánaiste have a word with the Parliamentary Secretary?
The Chair has called the next question. The Chair expects to be obeyed.