Vol. 512 No. 7
122 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Finance if he will put in place a programme of works for both embankments leading to Inch Island to avert trouble over the rest of the winter in view of the recent serious flooding at the Blanket Nook, County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27223/99]
123 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Finance the plans, if any, he has to finance the raising of the embankment leading from Magheraboy to Inch Island in County Donegal in view of the flooding of the road and the feeling of the local community that a lack of action could lead to serious difficulties in the near future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27224/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 122 and 123 together.
The two estuarine embankments that form the fresh water lake at Inch are Farland Point embankment and Quigley's Point embankment. Both were constructed in the 1850s. Following investigations into the stability of the Farland Point embankment in 1993 a major programme of strengthening with rock armouring on the seaward side was recommended and this work was completed in 1996. The embankment was also raised at this time. There are no further plans to raise this embankment. There are seven tidal flap gates on this embankment through which the flood waters from Inch Lake discharge. One of these gates is leaking and a replacement gate will be fitted shortly.
The other embankment at Quigley's Point was topped up at selected locations following the storms of February 1990 and is currently in good repair. There are no proposals to further raise this embankment. The flooding which occurs on the public road leading from Magheraboy to Inch Island is caused by rising water levels in the lake together with wind action. This matter will be addressed jointly by the Office of Public Works and Donegal County Council.
