Tony Killeen
Ceist:62 Mr. Killeen asked the Minister for Finance the plans, if any, the Office of Public Works has to improve the inadequate sluice at Tromora, Clonahinchy, Quilty, County Clare.
Written Answers. - County Clare Flood Relief.
The area around Cloghauninchy is low lying and liable to floods. It is protected by an embankment constructed in the late 1920s.
The responsibility for the repair of the embankment was transferred by the Minister for Finance to the Commissioners of Public Works in August, 1990, in accordance with the powers conferred by the Arterial Drainage Act, 1945. The outfall structure through the embankment had been damaged earlier and was replaced by the Commissioners with a 1.8m diameter pipe which had the effect of improving its discharge capacity. There are no proposals to undertake any additional works at this stage.
The problem is not with the works already completed but is due to the inadequate discharging capacity of the main channel. Studies carried out by the Commissioners following the extreme rainfall in the area in January, 1992 led them to conclude that flooding would have been extensive irrespective of the outfall conditions due to the inability of the channel upstream of the road bridge to carry such flood waters within its banks. An extensive scheme of embankments and back drains, including the installation of sluices and pumping equipment, would be required to give the necessary relief.