Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 26 Nov 2002

Vol. 558 No. 1

Written Answers. - Flood Relief.

Paul McGrath

Ceist:

216 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the person responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the River Barrow, in particular, the section from Graiguecullen, Carlow, to Leighlinbridge; if his Department's attention has been drawn to the flooding which took place along that section of the Barrow in the past week; the steps his Department plans or has to rectify the flooding situation; the stage those plans are at; and the amount of money which has been given to that stretch of river in the past ten years by successive Governments. [23800/02]

Minister of State at the Department of Finance (Mr. Parlon)

The Commissioners of Public Works have no responsibility for maintenance of the River Barrow.

The section of the River Barrow from Milford in Carlow to the foothills of the Slieve Bloom Mountains in County Laois, that is, north-west of Mountmellick, lies within the Barrow drainage district and responsibility for its maintenance lies with the Barrow Drainage Board, that is, the local authorities in Counties Carlow, Kildare and Laois.

Waterways Ireland carries out a certain amount of maintenance of the Barrow in relation to its navigational function. The Office of Public Works publicly exhibited a proposed flood relief scheme for Carlow town last year and all observations are currently being considered.