Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 30 Apr 1991

Vol. 407 No. 6

Written Answers. - Shannon Flooding.

Paul McGrath

Ceist:

102 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if his attention has been drawn to (1) the dramatic rise in the level of the Shannon at Athlone from February to March 1991, (2) the Clonbunny level of flooding in the Golden Island and areas south of Athlone and (3) the hardship to farmers who have no dry land on which to graze cattle where winter feed is gone and with no prospects for a silage crop this year; and if he will outline the measures he proposes to take to help the farming community in this area.

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. O'Kennedy):

The information available to me suggests very little loss of fodder or crops. As regards the areas referred to by the Deputy, I understand that the levels reached this year were not exceptional and that these levels have since fallen back. There is no evidence of severe or widespread financial loss due to flooding and, in the circumstances, I do not propose to introduce an aid scheme this year.