asked the Minister for Finance if he has yet received an assessment of the damage caused by recent storms to boat-slips and landing places on the Donegal coast; and if he has arranged for the urgent repair of the damage.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Storm Damage.
36.
Mr. Kenny
Only a small number of works of this description come within the responsibility of the Commissioners of Public Works in County Donegal and any damage caused to these is being attended to as soon as practicable.
Arising out of the indefinite and rather ambiguous reply given by the Parliamentary Secretary, I asked if there had been any methodical assessment of the damage to ascertain the actual damage caused by storm with a view to giving it proper attention.
Mr. Kenny
There may have been by the people responsible but not by the Office of Public Works because we are responsible for only seven marine works in County Donegal.
I am well aware of that. I was sufficiently long in the Parliamentary Secretary's job to know that the Parliamentary Secretary may be responsible for any landing place at any time.
Mr. Kenny
No assessment or examination has been made within the ambit of the Office of Public Works except of works for which they are responsible.
Surely this is not the best way to deal with a serious situation where poor people have lost their means of livelihood?
Mr. Kenny
The Deputy should understand that when marine works are completed by the Office of Public Works it is then the responsibility of the local authority to maintain these works and if they are not properly maintained, that is the responsibility of the county council.